In an effort to attract nursing school candidates, a GVSU staff member plans to establish a scholarship for second-career students.
Judy Pratt, recruiter for the Kirkhof School of Nursing (KSON), has seen interest in nursing grow among students who have already earned bachelor's degrees. However, few of these students have financial aid options available to them.
There's very little available to this group, most scholarships are geared toward first-time students, Pratt said.
She wants to raise $20,000 to establish the Judy Pratt Non-Traditional Nursing Scholarship. To kick-off a fund-raising campaign, the KSON will host a luncheon on Monday, April 9, at the University Club in the DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St. The event will begin at noon and will include representatives from area hospitals, health care organizations, and community service agencies.
Since 1992, GVSU has offered a program of study specifically designed for non-nurses with bachelor's degrees. Students can earn a BSN degree or an integrated BSN/MSN degree; several master's level programs are also offered.
This is a very special thing that Judy's doing, said Phyllis Gendler, KSON dean. This will fill a void in scholarship funding.
The nursing profession is facing a nationwide shortage of nurses. Pratt hopes this is one way to attract people to the field.
