Taking steps to address national trends that predict a worsening shortage of experienced nurses, the Jefferson Health System (JHS) will expand its Nursing Education Cash Award Program to support nursing education through the financial support of students pursuing nursing degrees.

Through this program, which is now entering its second year, nursing students in their junior as well as senior years in Associate’s Degree, BSN or diploma educational programs will be eligible to apply for grants of varying amounts in exchange for a commitment to work from one to three years at a Jefferson Health System member hospital of their choice. A total of approximately 50 grants will be available through the System’s members. Funds may be applied to any need the applicant chooses and will not be limited to tuition.

“The goal of the program is to recruit registered nurses into the Jefferson Health System hospitals in anticipation of a serious and growing nursing shortage in the region and the nation,” explained Jeanne Fisher, senior vice president for Human Resources, JHS. JHS members at which junior and senior students may apply to work in consideration for educational grants are the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Frankford Hospitals, Magee Rehabilitation, Main Line Health and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, as well as Jefferson Home Health. “Member hospitals will individually determine the grants they will make available on an annual basis,” explained Ms. Fisher. The grant program will be funded through the individual system members.

Candidates for the nursing education grants will apply by first completing the JHS grant application and selecting the hospital where she or he will make a work commitment following graduation. Candidates must have a scholastic standing of at least a 3.0 grade point average and provide an official transcript. Candidates will provide two recommendations reflecting scholastic ability, enthusiasm and initiative. One recommendation should be from a faculty member and the second one from the candidate’s employer or supervisor in a volunteer program.

Candidates will also be asked to write an essay of approximately 500 words discussing experiences within nursing or related to life situations that contribute to their nursing philosophy. The essay should also address short-term and long-term goals for his/her professional career.

Interviews will be conducted by a representative from the member hospital’s respective Department of Nursing. The JHS Grant Committee at each member institution will then review the candidates and make a final recommendation regarding distribution of the grant awards at their institution.

Grant awards will be made in amounts ranging from $4,000 to $15,000, depending on the years of the work commitment made. Candidates will be asked to sign an agreement to pledge to work for the full period of the commitment at the hospital she or he selects. If the grant recipient does not fulfill the work commitment, the agreement calls for the grant to be paid back by the recipient.

Letters announcing the JHS Nursing Education Grant Program and application forms are being sent to program directors of accredited nursing programs. Junior and senior nursing students may also call the Jefferson Health System office at 610-225-6200 to request an application or for more information about the grant program.