By Ann Blackford
The University of Kentucky College of Nursing has received a $600,000 grant from the Helene Fuld Health Trust to fund scholarships for UK nursing students pursuing the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
UK's Accelerated BSN degree is designed for students who have undergraduate or graduate degrees in other disciplines and/or served in a medical capacity in the military. The program allows them credit for much of their previous coursework and accelerates their move toward a bachelor's degree in nursing.
"We are grateful for the philanthropic investment by the Helene Fuld Health Trust for our Accelerated BSN second degree students," said Janie Heath, dean of the UK College of Nursing. "We know many of our nursing students have concerns about covering the costs of tuition, housing and other necessities while attending a rigorous program of study full time. Through the Helene Fuld scholarships, our students will have more opportunities to advance their academic success by focusing more on their nursing studies and clinical competences and less on their financial responsibilities."
Stephanie Fugate, MSN, APRN-BS, a leader in creating UK’s innovative ABSN degree and the point person for the Second Degree and MedVet Programs in the College of Nursing helped secure the grant. Her contributions have helped lessen the financial burden of ABSN students as they prepare to become competent, compassionate and resilient nurse leaders.
The Helene Fuld Health Trust awards grants to leading nursing schools and other organizations that undertake innovative programs designed to develop and expand the professional and leadership skills of nursing students, faculty and administration.
The UK College of Nursing awards over 300 undergraduate and graduate degrees each year. The Ph.D. program is ranked among the top eight programs in the U.S. by the National Research Council and the Doctor of Nursing Practice was the first of its kind in the U.S. preparing nurses for advanced practice and/or executive nursing leadership.
The Helene Fuld Health Trust grant furthers the goals of Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign, UK’s $2.1 billion comprehensive campaign focused on increasing opportunities for student success, funding innovative research, improving health care, strengthening our alumni network, and supporting our athletic programs. More than halfway to its goal, Kentucky Can is transforming the quality of life for the people and the Commonwealth UK serves.