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University of Maryland School of Nursing Receives Scholarship Funding for Accelerated Nursing Students

September 15, 2009

Baltimore, Md. – For the second consecutive year, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) received funding for scholarships from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through the RWJF New Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship Program. Twenty $10,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year to newly admitted students in UMSON’s Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program. Award preference is given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We are pleased that we have once again received funding for these awards that help eliminate some of the financial burden for our students,” says Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, PMH/CNS, BC, associate professor and co-director of UMSON’s CNL program. “These scholarships are very important since little educational funding is available for second degree master’s-entry level students.” 

This national initiative, launched in 2008 by RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, aims to help alleviate the nation’s nurse shortage by expanding the pipeline of students in accelerated nursing programs. Grants provided through this competitive program will build upon UMSON’s previous efforts to increase the number of students enrolled in its accelerated nursing program and to diversify its student base.

Previous RWJF scholars, now entering their third semester, have experienced a variety of clinical settings and have gained beginning knowledge of evidence-based practice, health care quality, and patient outcomes. One of those RWJF scholars will be attending the RWJF 2009 NCIN Summit this fall—a venue that provides excellent learning and networking opportunities.

For more information about the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, visit www.newcareersinnursing.org.