Scholarships Expand Accelerated Nursing Degree Program

Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University is expanding its accelerated Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing degree option thanks to funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program. Mennonite College of Nursing received $100,000, which will provide $10,000 scholarships for 10 students in the accelerated BSN option's 2009 cohort.

The scholarship funding allows Mennonite to increase its 2009 accelerated nursing degree cohort to 30 students.  Students admitted to this accelerated option have already completed a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. The one-year accelerated BSN option runs from January to December, and students will have already completed the prerequisite college-level general education courses. 

The New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, created by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), is aimed at addressing the nursing shortage and increasing the diversity of nursing professionals.  The scholarships are awarded to students admitted to accelerated baccalaureate and master's nursing programs.  Award preference is given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Grant funding also helps nursing schools leverage new faculty resources and provide mentoring and leadership development resources.

Mennonite's accelerated BSN option, which had its first cohort of students in January 2007, was established to help meet a critical need for highly trained nurses in Central Illinois.  Mennonite has established itself as a leader in nursing education through a strong commitment to mentoring student nurses, caring for older adults, working with regional health care and workforce development partners and encouraging diversity in the nursing workforce.

 "Receipt of this grant is incredibly exciting," said Sara Campbell, interim dean and professor at Mennonite College of Nursing. "It demonstrates Mennonite College of Nursing's commitment to increasing the number of nursing graduates that society greatly needs, while building a nursing workforce reflective of the population they will care for."

The accelerated BSN option has reopened admissions for the January 2009 session. Application deadline is September 30, and applicants must meet all prerequisites prior to January 2009.  For more information visit www.mcn.ilstu.edu

AACN serves as the national program office for this RWJF initiative and oversees the grant application submission and review processes. For more information about this program, see www.newcareersinnursing.org