Thanks to a multi-million-dollar grant, Northwest Mississippi Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program will soon be able to provide funding for community nurses and existing faculty members who wish to further their educations.
The Bower Foundation has awarded Northwest’s nursing program a four-and-a-half-year grant worth $3.8 million. According to Lacey Gentry, Northwest’s director of Nursing Instruction, The Bower Foundation has partnered with community colleges exclusively, and will fund a number of opportunities for community nurses as well as current faculty members.
“We could not be more excited for these eight opportunities to further improve our community as well as our already wonderful Nursing program,” Gentry said.
The grant will pay for two nurse educator degrees (RN to MSN) for nurses within our communities, identified by Northwest Nursing faculty. This opportunity includes four semesters of tuition, all fees, a $2,000 stipend per semester, a computer, and one yearly retreat with all expenses paid. This opportunity will begin in the summer of 2022 for the first candidate and the summer of 2023 for the second candidate.
The grant will also fund two nurse administrator degrees (RN to MSN) for nurses within our communities, identified by Northwest Nursing faculty. This includes five semesters of tuition, all fees, a $2,000 stipend per semester, a computer, and one yearly retreat with all expenses paid. This opportunity will begin in the summer of 2022 for the first candidate and the summer of 2023 for the second candidate.
Additionally, the endowment will pay for a Leadership Development program for two current Northwest Nursing faculty members. This will include virtual monthly meetings and two retreats hosted by the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, with all lodging, meals and other expenses covered. This opportunity will be available in the summer of 2021 for the first candidate and the summer of 2022 for the second candidate.
Finally, the grant will fund a certified nurse educator (CNE) certification for two current Northwest Nursing faculty members. This will include a review course, examination fees and travel expenses. A recipient will be nominated in 2021, and must take the exam within a year. A second recipient will be nominated in 2022, and must take the exam within a year.
For more information about Northwest’s Nursing program, visit northwestms.edu.
