Scholarship for Pediatric Nursing Students

The field of pediatric nursing can be rewarding to those who choose to enter the field. In the medical field, nurses hold the most jobs of any other medical profession. Currently, 2.6 million nursing jobs exist and sixty percent of those jobs are within hospitals. Pediatric nurses can serve children in a number of areas, including oncology. Advanced degrees are often necessary for specialized pediatric nursing fields.

The demand for the nursing profession, as a whole, is predicted to increase until 2018. The industry is making strides to encourage individuals to pursue the profession to meet the current demand. Some of the incentives offered consist of flexible work schedules and signing bonuses. The leaders in the industry hope that the incentives will retain the current work force and encourage more individuals to pursue the career.

Prospective nurses can expect a median income of $63,000 upon graduation from a nursing program. Those individuals pursuing a specialized field or are in the top ten percent can expect a greater salary. Job security is fairly high because of the current shortage. However, nurses may also join the Union. Currently, twenty one percent of nurses are members of the Union.

Several scholarships exist for pediatric nurses who seek to pursue a career in this field. Prospective students are encouraged to pursue the pediatric nursing field, as there are shortages in nearly every field. Several pediatric nursing scholarships are listed below.

Children’s Health Care of Atlanta CHANCES Scholarship

http://www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=307

CHANCES Scholarship program was implemented to provide prospective students of pediatric nursing financial assistance. Applicants of the scholarship program must currently be enrolled in a Bachelor’s of Science Program in Nursing. Recipients must be U.S. citizens and will receive $5,000 per semester for up to 2 years.

Children’s Health Care of Atlanta is one of the largest pediatric healthcare centers in the country. Students accepted into this program will be required to work in the industry 12 months for each year of support received. The recipients will be surrounded by some of the best in the field.

By the May 1 deadline, applicants are expected to complete an online application, questionnaire, obtain two letters of recommendation, and an essay. A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required.

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Scholarship Program (NAPNAP)

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Scholarship Programs awards students who are enrolled full time in a pediatric nurse practitioner program. Two recipients will receive $2,000 for their studies.

Registered Nurses may also apply to the McNeil Scholarship program. The Registered Nurse should not have any prior experience in pediatric nursing. Preference is given to the applicant who exhibits financial need.

Membership to the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners is required for applicants, as well as, a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0.

Students currently enrolled in a pediatric nurse practitioner program may be eligible for the McNeil Rural Scholarship program. Recipients of this scholarship are required to work in a rural setting for two years after completing their program of study. Two to four scholarships are awarded each year. The award amounts range from $10,000 to $20,000.

The Christy-Houston Foundation Scholarship Program

Pediatric Advanced Practice Nursing students may be eligible to receive one of the five scholarships awarded each year by the Christy-Houston Foundation Scholarship Program. Each of the five recipients will receive an award in the amount of $35,000.

Applicants must be Registered Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and be graduates of Middle Tennessee State University or a resident of Rutherford County, Tennessee. Recipients of the scholarship will be required to serve at Vanderbilt University to repay the scholarship.

Duke University Nursing Scholarship

Merit based scholarships are provided to students who are currently enrolled in a nursing program. The recipients of the scholarship can expect to receive a 75% tuition credit. Students may only apply for the merit scholarship once.

Edna S. Antes and Margaret Stephen Schreckengast Scholarship

The Edna S. Antes and Margaret Stephen Schreckengast Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of the Bachelor of Science in nursing program at the University of Iowa. The recipient of the scholarship must be enrolled in a Pediatric Nursing graduate program. Applicants of the scholarship must be U.S. citizens and preference will be given to residents of Iowa. Applicants may apply while still pursuing their undergraduate degree; however, they must enroll in a graduate program within two years of completing an undergraduate degree in nursing.

Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) Scholarship

Scholarships will be awarded to Bachelor of Science Nursing majors or graduating nursing students pursuing a degree related to pediatric healthcare. Applicants must be members of the Society of Pediatric Nurses. The scholarship will provide the recipient with $500 of financial assistance.

The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Scholarship (AWHONN)

http://www.awhonn.org/awhonn/

The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses awards scholarships to those nurses who have been a member of the association, either full or associate member, for one full year prior to the year of application. The applicants must also be pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing. The amount of the scholarship varies depending upon the student and their program of study.

March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship

http://www.marchofdimes.com/

The March of Dimes awards graduate nursing scholarships to Registered Nurses who are currently enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral program in maternal-child nursing. Applicants must be a member of one of the following organizations in order to be eligible: American College of Nurse-Midwives, the Association of Women’s Health, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, or Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Each recipient will be awarded $5,000.

Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society Scholarship

Nurses seeking to continue their studies in pediatric nursing research and endocrine and growth disorders in pediatric nursing are eligible for the Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society Scholarship. Applicants must also be members of the Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society and submit an article to the organization for publication.

Each award is $1,000 per recipient.

Summary

The list provided to potential Pediatric Nurses is not comprehensive. The student can use this list as a lead to other scholarships available.