Scholarships for UK College of Nursing RN-BSN Students

ABSTRACT: The University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing has prepared this scholarship funds request to support the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) degree program. UK College of Nursing has many noteworthy achievements – the first nurse researcher to be awarded a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute grant in the country, the first Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the country, a rank of ninth among all public U.S. nursing schools, and $36.2 million in active research and training awards. However, the heart of our effort is the education and experience we are able to provide to our students and the care they in turn provide to the Commonwealth and beyond. We request $10,000 in scholarship funding for students enrolled part-time or full-time in the RN-BSN program. This program m supports nurses who have already received their RN licensure to practice nursing and wish to complete a BSN degree. RN’s pursue their BSN degree for many reasons – to improve patient care, further their education, meet employer requirements, and advance their long-term career opportunities. The UK College of Nursing offers an innovative, flexible, 100 percent online RN-BSN degree program for Registered Nurses who have an associate degree or diploma in nursing. Approximately 76% of these students attend part time as they hold full- time nursing positions. These students often have demographics and financial situations that align them with a more non-traditional student profile. For example, many of them may be the primary wage earners for their family. Approximately 80% of students currently enrolled in this program are Kentucky residents. The RN-BSN program allows the University to serve these nurses while they continue to serve patients in their communities.