November 11, 2003
Pursuing A Career In Nursing
Genesis Offers Gala Nursing Scholarships
Davenport, IA - Hoping to continue its success in encouraging young women and men to pursue a career in nursing, the Genesis Health Services Foundation is once again offering financial assistance through its Gala Nursing Scholarship program.
Jessica Conklin, a 2003 scholarship recipient, decided to pursue a nursing degree at St. Ambrose University in Davenport after observing the care her grandmother was given while being treated for leukemia.
"The nurses not only provided exceptional care, but they also provided my grandmother with companionship," says Conklin, who is working as a nursing assistant in the Genesis West campus Medical/Surgical Unit. "They were compassionate and understanding, and my grandmother was able to form a trusting friendship with each of them. That experience is why I want to become a nurse. I want to do for others what those nurses did for my grandmother."
It's life-altering moments like Jessica's, and the Genesis Health Services Foundation Gala Nursing Scholarship Program, that the health care community is counting on to help put an end to the nationwide shortage.
"The Gala Committee and the community leaders and businesses supporting the scholarship program all have a vested interest in the availability of quality health care services," says Missy Gowey, CFRE, Genesis Health Services Foundation Executive Director. "We share the responsibility for attracting, educating and retaining nursing professionals in our community." Monies for the Gala Nursing Scholarship program are raised through the Foundation's annual Gala.
The Genesis Gala Scholarship Program, now in its third consecutive year, provides scholarships of up to $5,000 to students seeking a baccalaureate degree in nursing form specified colleges and universities in the region. A total of 20 area students received Gala Nursing Scholarships in 2002 and 2003.
Projections show that the nationwide demand for nurses will exceed the supply by 20 percent by the year 2020. The scholarship program is one of many ways Genesis Medical Center is working to combat this problem. "The need for nurses will be critical for several years to come," says Carole Reid, RN, MSN, Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nurse Executive. "We believe this scholarship program is an incentive for students to pursue a nursing career while at the same time help diminish the impact this nationwide shortage is having on Genesis."
The scholarship is awarded as a forgivable loan, meaning Genesis will waive repayment if the recipients agree to work full-time for two years upon completion of their degree. "It thereby creates a relationship between the students and hospital," adds Reid. "We hope that relationship develops into a rewarding career at Genesis."
Applications for the Gala Nursing Scholarship Program may be obtained through the financial aid offices at the following Iowa colleges and universities: Clarke College in Dubuque, Coe and Mt. Mercy Colleges in Cedar Rapids, Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, St. Ambrose University in Davenport and the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Applications also are available through area high school guidance counselors, the Genesis Health Services Foundation office. Applications for the scholarship are due on or before March 5, 2004. Recipients will be announced in May 2004.
Download Scholarship Poster here.
Download Scholarship Application here.
For more information or to get an application, contact Genesis Health Services Foundation at 563-421-6865.
