Nurses Service Organization (NSO)

The Nurses Service Organization (NSO) is launching the NSO Outstanding Nurse Search to share and reward the achievements and dedication of nursing professionals around the country. 

To Enter, join at www.facebook.com/nsocares. There you can fill out a simple form. In 500 words or less, tell us why you or your co-worker, mentor or supervisor is an outstanding nursing professional.  Starting in October 2009, every month for five months the NSO Advisory Board will choose that month's winning story. Plus, they’ll add in one ‘wildcard’ for a total of six winners.

Each winner will be awarded a $500 shopping spree at www.nsomarketplace.com.  In March 2010, we’ll open up the voting for the final NSO Outstanding Nurse to the entire nursing community. You’ll get to vote for the NSO Outstanding Nurse from our six winners. That outstanding nurse will win a $2,000 grand prize Gift Card.  The complete announcement may be found here. 

American Cancer Society Offers Nursing Scholarships

The American Cancer Society, the largest not-for-profit funding source for cancer research and training, is pleased to invite applications from graduate nursing students for the following programs:

• Doctoral Scholarships in Cancer Nursing – Provide support for doctoral students preparing for a career as a cancer nurse scientist.  Students must maintain a full-time program of study that integrates cancer nursing and provides evidence of faculty support.  Awards are made for up to two years, with the possibility of a two-year renewal based on satisfactory progress.  The annual stipend is $15,000.  Apply by October 15.


• Graduate Scholarships in Clinical Cancer Nursing – Support students pursuing a master’s degree in cancer nursing or a doctorate of nursing practice.  Students must be enrolled in a program that can award an advanced nursing practice degree with demonstrated integration of didactic and clinical oncology content.  Students must be advised by a faculty member responsible for the oncology nursing content in the curriculum or program of stud proposed for the applicant.  The stipend is $10,000 each year.  Funding may be award for up to two years.  Apply by February 1, 2010. 

For more information, contact Program Director Virginia Krawiec (ginger.krawiec@cancer.org).  For a full description of all American Cancer Society funding opportunities, visit http://www.cancer.org/research.

Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions Announces Call for Nominations for Bayada Technology Awards

$20,000 in Cash Prizes for International Bayada Award for Technological Innovation in Nursing Education and Practice
Applications due April 30, 2010

PHILADELPHIA Pa. February 19, 2010 - Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) announces the seventh annual Bayada Award for Technological Innovation in Nursing Education and Practice.  The award, sponsored by brothers Mel and Mark Baiada, recognizes the importance of incorporating technology in nursing for better patient outcomes.  Applications are being accepted now.

Two $10,000 cash awards will be presented.  One goes to a nursing educator whose innovation leads to improved student clinical competency or more efficient curriculum delivery.  Another is awarded to a practicing nurse whose innovation leads to improved patient care.  Judges will consider the inventiveness and impact of the technology, which must be in use six months or longer.  A blind judging will be performed.  Applications are due by April 30, 2010 and can be found at http://www.drexel.edu/cnhp/bayada/BAYADA_AWARD_FORM.pdf. Resubmissions from previous years are welcome.

“We are proud to sponsor this award and recognize the vital contributions of nurses through technology,” said Mark Baiada, Founder and President of Bayada Nurses.  “Innovation that focuses on nursing education and practice can have a lasting impact on the field of nursing and ultimately provide a better quality of life for the people that nurses serve.”

Winners will be recognized at the Drexel University Nursing Education Institute in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on June 22, 2010. The winners must be present to accept the awards; travel expenses will be paid.

“New technology is constantly improving healthcare delivery to patients, and it’s transforming the education of those who will safeguard America’s health in the coming decades,” said Dr. Gloria Donnelly, dean of Drexel’s CNHP.  “We have a strong tradition of innovation and we’re proud to recognize those individuals who share our commitment to meeting patient needs through the resourceful use of technology.”

Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions enrolls approximately 3,100 students. The College includes 15 programs, 145 full-time faculty and affiliations with some of the finest health care institutions in the U.S.  The College’s programs are designed to build knowledge, improve practice and culturally competent care, foster professional integrity, and ultimately improce the health outcomes of patients, families, and communities across the continuum of care.  For more information on Drexel University or other programs in Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, visit http://cnhp.drexel.edu.

National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment

**UPDATE: The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program has changed the NP eligibility criteria for the Scholarship program effective immediately. All types of primary care nurse practitioners are now eligible to apply. There is a compressed time period for the application.

NHSC Letter to Nurse Practitioners

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program accepts applications once a year from students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an accredited health professions training program in an eligible primary care discipline: medicine (MD or DO), dentistry, family nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife or physician assistant. You can apply before your first year or after you have finished one or more years of school.

• Sign up to be notified by e-mail when the application for the 2010-2011 school year is available.

The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program provides $50,000 (or the outstanding balance of qualifying student loans if it is less than $50,000), tax free, to primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians in exchange for two years of service at an approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Upon completion of the service commitment, clinicians may be eligible to apply for additional support for extended service.

• Applying to the Loan Repayment Program Just Got Easier!

Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award Program Call for Nominations

*Nominations Deadline Extended to June 30, 2010

Program honors healthcare professionals demonstrating exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation

Los Angeles, Mar. 1, 2010 - Cherokee Uniforms will now accept nominations through June 30, 2010 for its annual Inspired Comfort Award, a national program to honor healthcare professionals for their exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation. The award's past 76 recipients embody the humanity and commitment that characterize the nation's healthcare professionals; illustrating why those in healthcare are among America's most trusted professionals.

"Our nation's healthcare professionals are unsung heroes who are highly intelligent, skilled and compassionate, and they deserve our sincerest thanks for the outstanding work that they perform often in incredibly challenging conditions," said Michael Singer, president and CEO of Cherokee Uniforms. "The Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award provides an opportunity for anyone to tell a healthcare professional that their work and efforts matter."

A panel of nurse leaders, Cherokee professionals and former award recipients will choose winners who best meet the program's criteria of exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation.

The grand prize winner in each category will receive an all-expense-paid Caribbean cruise for two. Additional winners in each category will receive all-expense-paid trips to a 2011 U.S. medical conference of each winner's choice, an annual membership to their preferred clinical association and a $1000 medical wardrobe from Cherokee Uniforms. Additionally, those who nominated the grand prize winner in each category will also receive a $1000 Cherokee medical wardrobe.

To nominate a healthcare professional, visit www.CherokeeUniforms.com or pick up a nomination form from a Cherokee Uniforms retailer. Candidates may be nominated in two of the following categories but can only win in one: Registered Nurses (RNs); Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs); Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs); Students enrolled in schools of nursing; and other Non-Physician Healthcare Professionals.

Nominations must contain an accurate description (100 words or more) of the candidate’s exceptional performance which must have taken place at least in part in 2009. For every healthcare professional nominated through May 31, 2010, Cherokee Uniforms will make a donation to Nurses House, a national fund that provides short-term financial assistance to registered nurses facing serious hardship.

Nominations are due by May 31, 2010 and winners will be announced in October 2010. For further information on the award, please visit http://inspiredcomfort.com or follow the award on Twitter- @InspiredComfort.

• 2009 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award Winners