Lewis University students awarded scholarships through RWJF New Careers in Nursing Program

Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions has been selected as one of 52 schools to receive grant funding from the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program (NCIN). During the 2013-2014 academic year, Lewis University will receive $50,000 to support students in the school's BAC-BSN program who are traditionally underrepresented in the field of nursing and are pursuing second careers in the field. NCIN is a program of RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). "At this time when the nation's need for highly educated nurses is growing, we are delighted to be able to support nursing students who will bring diverse and valuable perspectives to the field, and become capable, culturally-competent nurses," said David Krol, MD, MPH, FAAP, RWJF senior program officer. "NCIN is not only helping these students succeed in school, it is helping prepare the nursing workforce to meet the challenges that lie ahead." Each NCIN Scholar has already earned a bachelor's degree in another field, and is making a career switch to nursing through an accelerated nursing degree program, which prepares students to pass the licensure exam required for all registered nurses in as little as 12-18 months. At Lewis University, five students were awarded NCIN scholarships. Since 2008, the NCIN program has distributed 3,117 scholarships to students at 125 unique schools of nursing. This year, funding for 400 scholarships was granted to 52 schools of nursing. Jane Trainor, coordinator of the BAC-BSN track, stated that the selection process for the NCIN scholars was competitive. For the process, each applicant was required to complete financial information, submit an essay about why they wanted to be a nurse, obtain a letter of recommendation from a professor or employer, and have demonstrated academic excellence with their first degree. The five scholars were chosen out of many applications received. Ryan Baeten of Downers Grove, Maureen Dewan of Oak Forest, Bilaal Hassan of Riverside, Basirat Yusuf and Marius Zymantas of Chicago were selected as the first students at Lewis University to be scholarship recipients. Each recipient is using their award toward tuition while participating in the accelerated program at Lewis University. "Not only does the scholarship help me with funding for school but it also provides me and the other scholars' resources to improve leadership, time management, and test-taking skills to make us successful nursing students," Baeten commented. The students are enrolled in the Lewis University BAC-BSN program, which is designed for students with a first degree in another major to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing. The program benefits people like Dewan. She explained, "I contemplated getting a degree in nursing my first time through college, but I pushed the idea away because I was not confident that I could handle the coursework. Working in adult day programming for individuals with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities as well as working in a school for children with autism has helped solidify my desire to spend my life caring for others." Zymantas switched careers from working in healthcare administration to a nurse because he thought he could have a greater impact by working more closely with patients. He said, "This scholarship is helping me concentrate on doing the best I can do in school, without the distraction of where I'm going to come up with the money to complete my degree." Patient interaction is also something Yusuf looks forward to as a nurse. She said, "Nursing is a profession that allows you to be caring, understanding, empathetic, and an advocate while giving the best patient care." To view these students click here: http://lewisu.meritpages.com/achievements/Lewis-University-students-awarded-scholarships-through-RWJF-New-Careers-in-Nursing-Program/21394