An exciting idea that could work out as a pilot program for big improvements in the nursing profession is now under way: $10,000 scholarships for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. These scholarships are granted as part of the New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program through a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the American Association of  Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Nationally, 58 colleges out of 113 applicants were granted the new scholarships.

The Accelerated Nursing program allows applicants with an existing Bachelor’s degree to earn their nursing degree in 16 months. These scholarships add a much needed boost to funding for students at a time when nursing numbers are a big issue and meeting industry and public demand is a top priority.

The RWJF program aims to provide 1,500 scholarships to minority and disadvantaged students. This initiative is getting a very positive response from some of the nation’s top colleges, notably Duke. Duke University has been operating a scholarship program called Broadening the Community in the same field in its own Accelerated Nursing program, and received more applicants than it had funds to place.

The Accelerated Nursing Program and New Careers in Nursing Program have also uncovered a lot of information which is starting to define the real training needs of the profession:

1. Duke’s research indicates that entrants at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels are much more likely to remain in the profession. These are the core professional qualifications, and the good news is that these graduates, who will also be primary level trainers, will stay in the field. Sustainability of this professional core is vital to practical  nursing.
2. Nurses with good academic backgrounds are going to be required to deal with the steady deluge of scientific and technological inputs into medicine at all levels. This is a “learning hyperbola” where nurses return their upgraded skills to the workplace and can train and advise in their own work. It’s a very cost-effective result if the Accelerated Nursing program can deliver, and it looks like it can.

A criticism has been raised about the RWJF scholarships and other initiatives, however. There is concern that emphasis on demographics will miss promising students who need the money and don’t fit the criteria. The criticism is really a reflection of the need to support and motivate all nursing talent. The New Careers in Nursing Program has proven it’s the right mechanism to address this extremely important issue.