In an effort to address the current nursing shortage and to increase the number of minority students in our region, Bellarmine University and Norton Healthcare are partnering to provide scholarships to underrepresented students in Bellarmine University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Starting immediately, students meeting the criteria may apply for a $10,000 scholarship for the May 2022 cohort; 10 scholarships will be granted. Norton Healthcare has pledged to fund $50,000 annually for the next five years for student scholarships for this program and Bellarmine will match Norton Healthcare’s funding with an additional $50,000. The scholarships will be distributed across three semesters – $3,000 for summer, $3,500 for fall and $3,500 for spring. Students applying must have at least a 3.25 or higher grade-point average from a regional accredited university.
“Bellarmine and Norton Healthcare are committed to expanding and diversifying the regional workforce in a time of critical need,” said Bellarmine Dean of Graduate Admission Sara Pettingill, who oversees enrollment for the Accelerated BSN. “This funding will help Bellarmine attract the best and the brightest candidates from underrepresented populations to the field of nursing.”
The Accelerated BSN program allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree and seven pre-requisite courses to complete a nursing program in 12 months and then sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). Over the past five years, Bellarmine has averaged a 93% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate among its BSN students, according to the Kentucky Board of Nursing, exceeding national, regional and local NCLEX-RN pass rates.
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“Norton Healthcare is invested in this program because these students will benefit from the financial support, can be quickly trained and will be highly qualified to fill vacant positions,” Pettingill said.
Once admitted to the Accelerated BSN program, eligible students will have access to the scholarship application.
Click here to learn more about the program and apply.