February 10, 2006

Genesis Gala Scholarships Will Assist 10 Area Nursing Students

Davenport, IA - Ten Quad City-area students who plan to pursue nursing educations will receive assistance toward a rewarding career from 2006 Gala Nursing Scholarships presented by the Genesis Health Services Foundation.

To encourage individuals to seek a baccalaureate degree in nursing, the Genesis Health Services Foundation created the Gala Nursing Scholarship. This unique program will provide $5,000 in financial assistance to recipients pursuing a baccalaureate nursing degree program in the region.

Funds to offer the scholarships were raised from the 2005 Genesis Gala.

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.

"While Genesis has been successful in hiring and retaining good nurses and usually has a very low number of nursing openings, the need for nurses is critical and will continue to be for several years," says Carole Reid, RN, MSN, Vice President of Patient Services. "We hope this scholarship program will provide an incentive for students to pursue a baccalaureate nursing degree while at the same time help diminish the impact this nationwide shortage could have on Genesis in the coming years."

The scholarship is awarded as a forgivable loan, meaning Genesis will waive repayment if the recipients agree to work full-time at Genesis for two years upon completion of their degree. "It thereby creates a relationship between the students and hospital," adds Reid. "We hope the relationship will develop into a rewarding career at Genesis."

Applications for the Gala Nursing Scholarship Program may be obtained at the following college financial aid offices, Clarke College in Dubuque, Coe and Mt. Mercy Colleges in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, St. Ambrose University in Davenport, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Applications are also available through area high school guidance counselors.

Gala Nursing Scholarship packets can also be downloaded from the Genesis Health System website, www.genesishealth.com. Packets include an informational letter, fact sheet and application. Applications for the scholarship are due on or before March 3, 2006. For more information, call the Genesis Health Services Foundation office at 563-421-6865.