Nash UNC Health Care Awards Nursing Scholarships
Edgecombe Community College participated in the recent Nash UNC Nurse Scholars Program Signing Day ceremony. From left are (front row) nurse scholars Victoria Dancy. Kaila Boulden, Caitlyn Briley, Haley Kitchen, (back) Barbara Knopp, nursing program chair; Dr. Harry Starnes, vice president of instruction; Bruce Panneton, dean of health sciences and public safety; nurse scholar Shanietra Johnson; and Dr. Greg McLeod, president of ECC.
Nash UNC Health Care is providing scholarships to five Edgecombe Community College nursing students.
The scholarship recipients participated in a recent Signing Day ceremony as they committed to participating in the Nash UNC Nurse Scholars Program.
The scholarship program funds the cost of each student’s education, tuition, and books. It also includes a monthly stipend for high-achieving students pursuing an associate degree in nursing.
“The Nash UNC Nurse Scholars Program identifies, encourages, and offers financial assistance to promising students,” says Crystal Hayden, chief nursing officer at Nash UNC Health Care. “It also offers immediate hiring upon graduation. In return, nurse scholars will be committed to work full time as a registered nurse at Nash UNC Health Care for up to three years.”
The program offers benefits to students and the hospital. Students receive financial assistance as they pursue their degree, and Nash UNC Health Care benefits from a steady pipeline of topnotch nursing graduates.
ECC student nurses awarded scholarships during their first year of study are Kaila Boulden and Victoria Dancy. ECC student nurses already in their second year of study who are receiving the scholarship are Haley Kitchen, Shanietra Johnson, and Cailyn Briley.
“We are very grateful to Nash UNC Health Care for providing such generous support to our nursing students,” says Barbara Knopp, chair of the nursing program at Edgecombe Community College. “Our nursing curriculum is quite rigorous. Easing students’ financial burden will enable them to focus more on learning the skills they need to be outstanding nurses and less on how to pay for their education. This scholarship program is a win-win for our students and Nash UNC Health Care.”
In addition to meeting academic requirements at Edgecombe Community College, the nursing students will participate in mentoring activities and social events designed to help them cultivate relationships with the Nash UNC Health Care team.
Qualifications for the Nurse Scholars Program include enrollment in a nursing program at Edgecombe Community College, a minimum 3.0 grade point average, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement about their commitment to nursing.