January 25, 2010

Scholarships Help Genesis Build Relationships With Nurses

The Genesis Health Services Foundation is providing scholarships of $10,000 for students who have been accepted or are already enrolled in an undergraduate baccalaureate nursing program in an Iowa or Illinois college or university.

The scholarships are offered as loans that are forgivable if the recipient works within Genesis Health System for two years on a full-time basis upon completion of their degree.  Scholarships are available to students in the 10-county region of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois served by Genesis Health System.

The scholarship programs, designed to recruit and retain skilled health care professionals, are made possible by foundation events and fundraising efforts during the year. This is the eighth year the scholarships are being offered.

"Because nursing is a dynamic profession, life-long learning is essential for nurses to stay current with the increased complexity of health care today and into the future,'' said Judy Pranger, Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nurse Executive, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport. "Research evidence has demonstrated that patients who are cared for by nurses with a baccalaureate education in nursing have improved clinical outcomes.

"Additional benefits of BSN degree completion include enhanced career progression. Nurses with advanced educations are increasingly important in filling posiitions of leadership at all levels of nursing."

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 Health System is working to prevent a future nursing shortage.

"The individuals and companies investing in nursing care at Genesis see the important connection between a well-educated workforce and a healthier community,'' said Missy Gowey, CFRE, Executive Director, Genesis Health Services Foundation. "These scholarships are indicative of the importance Genesis and Quad Citians place on nurse retention and professional development."

Genesis Medical Center, Davenport was the first regional hospital and just the fourth hospital in Iowa to earn Magnet recognition in 2005. Magnet recognizes nursing excellence and is awarded to hospitals that meet rigorous nationally and internationally recognized standards for nursing care and professional performance.

Scholarship applications can be found at the Genesis Health System website, https://www.genesishealth.com/index.aspx/scholarships.

Applications for the scholarships are due on or before March 12, 2010. For more information, call the Genesis Health Services Foundation office at (563) 421-6864.

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