The Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel has granted nursing scholarships to eight students who belong to racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in nursing.
Funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the scholarships are part of the agency’s Nursing Workforce Diversity Program, which strives to encourage diversity in an inclusive and equitable environment.
This year’s recipients are Maria Colon, Paola Coronel, Jeefry De La Cruz, Jessica Guaman, Autumn Johnson, Julissa Lorenzo, Thayshamarie Rodriguez, and Adenike Strachan.
“These scholarships build on our efforts to recruit and graduate a diverse group of students,” Todd F. Ambrosia, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, FNAP, Dean of the Phillips School of Nursing, says of the program. “We are proud to help these students acquire the skills necessary to excel in today’s demanding health care environment.”
The Phillips School of Nursing has received a grant of more than $1.8 million over the next four years to continue distributing the scholarships. It expects to help fund the education of 10 to 12 students from underrepresented groups each year.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nursing students from minority backgrounds represent only 32 percent of students enrolled in baccalaureate programs. The scholarships will enable these students to enter and graduate from the nursing program, covering the student’s entire time in the program, which lasts for 15 months, or four semesters. It will provide 70 percent of tuition as well as a small stipend to help with living expenses.
Once students are accepted into the Phillips School of Nursing, they are automatically considered for the scholarship. To qualify, students must be educationally or economically disadvantaged and come from a minority background that is underrepresented in nursing. This includes those who are American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, or Hispanic of any race.
In addition to scholarship funds, the program provides academic and support services to all nursing students. Services include group and individual tutoring sessions, mentoring, a writing center, and career readiness workshops.