Choosing a career in pediatric nursing can be fulfilling for individuals. Among medical professions, nurses occupy the highest number of positions, with 2.6 million nursing jobs available, and hospitals account for sixty percent of these positions. Pediatric nurses have the opportunity to work in various areas, such as oncology, providing care to children. Specialized pediatric nursing fields often require advanced degrees.
Upon completing a nursing program, aspiring nurses can anticipate a median income of $63,000. Those who specialize in a particular field or rank among the top ten percent can anticipate an even higher salary. The demand for nurses is currently high, ensuring job security due to the existing shortage. Additionally, nurses have the option to join a union, with the current membership standing at twenty-one percent.
For those interested in pediatric nursing, numerous scholarships are available to support their career aspirations in this field. As there is a shortage in almost every specialization, prospective students are encouraged to consider pediatric nursing. Below, you will find details of various scholarships dedicated to pediatric nursing.
What Does Being A Pediatric Nurse Entails?
Pediatric nursing is a specialized field that registered nurses, who have obtained the necessary license, often opt for after completing a nursing degree. Pursuing a specialty typically involves obtaining a certification indicating additional education in pediatrics.
Treating children in healthcare settings presents unique challenges due to difficulties in communication of symptoms and the ongoing development of their bodies. This requires modifications to adult treatments. Pediatric nurses play a crucial role in not only providing care but also educating parents on safeguarding their children’s health. Certain allied professions, such as pediatric nurse practitioners, involve additional study as they encompass both nursing and primary care responsibilities.
Within pediatric nursing, there are various subspecialties, including neonatology, oncology, critical care, and cardiology. Specializing in these areas requires advanced training. Despite the additional education, becoming a specialist in pediatric nursing, a field already in high demand, provides a solid assurance of employment opportunities.
Pediatric Nursing Scholarship Opportunities
The NAPNAP Foundation Scholarship:
The NAPNAP Foundation, an initiative by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), has been established to promote nursing research and advanced education, aiming to enhance the well-being of children under the care of pediatric nurses. In pursuit of this objective, NAPNAP annually presents the Elaine Gelman Scholarship to a student enrolled in a pediatric nurse practitioner program, acknowledging exemplary academic performance, clinical competence, and advocacy for a specific children’s health care issue.
Prospective candidates should anticipate graduation within a two-year timeframe. The application process requires submission of two reference letters from colleagues, along with a personal statement outlining a proposed solution to a healthcare policy problem. The Gelman award is capped at a maximum of $1,000.
The Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) Scholarship:
The Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) awards the Academic Education Scholarship to SPN members with a minimum of two years of membership, holding an active RN license, currently working, and seeking to pursue advanced nursing studies. To apply, you need to submit the following documents: a resume, evidence of enrollment at your educational institution, transcripts, verification of current employment in pediatric nursing, and two letters of reference.
The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA):
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) has established a set of scholarships to support aspiring nurses. The current opportunity, known as the Opportunities Scholarship, is specifically tailored for individuals proficient in both English and Spanish who have an interest in pediatric nursing. Eligible applicants include those who are either embarking on their college journey for the first time or individuals currently employed in another field but planning to transition to a nursing career.
As a prominent regional provider of pediatric healthcare, CHOA aims to foster the growth of new healthcare professionals to better serve their Hispanic clientele. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The scholarship offers a financial grant of $5,000 per semester for a duration of two years, with the stipulation of a service commitment – one year of employment for each year of financial aid.
Vanderbilt University’s School of Nursing:
Vanderbilt University’s School of Nursing provides comprehensive details about its internal scholarships on a dedicated page. The school itself administers these scholarships, with three of them (honoring Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, Julia Hereford, and C. W. Kempkau) covering the entire tuition, while others are categorized as partial scholarships.
For prospective students, evaluation criteria include GPA and standardized test scores such as the GRE. As for second-year students, a perfect 4.0 GPA in both semesters of the nursing program is required. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is also necessary. Given that the tuition was $1,126 per credit hour in 2012, these scholarships, particularly the full ones, are notably generous.
The School of Nursing at Duke University Scholarship:
The School of Nursing at Duke University (DUSON) has provided details about available scholarships on their website. The DUSON Need-Based Scholarship amount is determined by tuition, covering expenses of up to $9,000 for ABSN program participants. The Robert Wood Johnson Scholarship offers up to $10,000 for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Additionally, the highest scholarship, amounting to $30,000, is dedicated to supporting geriatric education.
The College of Nursing At The University of Lowa Scholarship:
The College of Nursing at the University of Iowa offers an extensive array of scholarships, comprising six pages, for its students. With a total of twenty-five awards, including some that can be received multiple times, the college provided over $400,000 in assistance to more than 100 students in 2011. These scholarships cater to various needs, supporting financially disadvantaged students, those with outstanding academic achievements, individuals from underrepresented groups, and students at different educational levels.
The Christy-Houston Foundation Scholarship:
The Christy-Houston Foundation Scholarship Program offers opportunities for Pediatric Advanced Practice Nursing students to potentially secure one of the five scholarships granted annually. Each of the five selected individuals will be granted a $35,000 award.
Eligible candidates must hold the title of Registered Nurse, possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and either be graduates of Middle Tennessee State University or residents of Rutherford County, Tennessee. Those who receive the scholarship will have an obligation to serve at Vanderbilt University as a means of fulfilling the repayment requirement for the scholarship.
The Edna S. Antes and Margaret Stephen Schreckengast Scholarship:
The scholarship known as the Edna S. Antes and Margaret Stephen Schreckengast Scholarship is designated for a graduating senior from the University of Iowa’s Bachelor of Science in nursing program. To qualify, the recipient must be currently enrolled in a Pediatric Nursing graduate program. Eligible applicants for this scholarship should be U.S. citizens, with a preference for those who are residents of Iowa. While undergraduates may apply, successful candidates must enroll in a graduate program within two years of completing their undergraduate nursing degree.
The AWHONN Scholarship:
The AWHONN Scholarship, offered by the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, is granted to nurses who have maintained a full or associate membership in the association for a complete year before applying.
Eligible candidates should be actively pursuing a nursing degree at the baccalaureate or master’s level. The scholarship amount is variable and is determined based on the individual student and their chosen program of study.
The March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship:
The March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship is granted to Registered Nurses actively pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree in maternal-child nursing. To qualify, applicants must be affiliated with one of the specified organizations: the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the Association of Women’s Health, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, or Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Successful candidates will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
Scholarship Opportunity in Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing:
The Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society Scholarship is open to nurses who wish to pursue further education in the realms of pediatric nursing research, as well as endocrine and growth disorders in pediatric nursing. To qualify, candidates must be active members of the Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society and are required to submit an article for publication through the organization.
Successful applicants will receive a $1,000 award each.
The BSN Scholarship:
This scholarship of $1,500 is exclusively open to current members of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses who are currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Eligible applicants should have successfully completed at least one course, actively engage in rehabilitation nursing, and possess a minimum of two years of experience in this field. To apply, students are required to submit an application, academic transcripts, a concise overview of their academic and professional objectives and accomplishments, as well as letters of recommendation.
The Nightingale Scholarship From The Colorado Nurses:
The Nightingale Scholarship from the Colorado Nurses Association is open to residents of Colorado who are affiliated with either the Colorado Nurses Association or the Colorado Student Nurses Association. Eligible candidates include second-year ASN students, third- or fourth-year BSN students, RN students at any postsecondary institution, and practicing RNs enrolled in doctoral degree programs. Undergraduate applicants need to maintain a GPA of 3.25 or above, while graduate degree students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. It is a requirement for recipients to have plans to pursue a nursing career in Colorado upon graduation.
Conclusion:
Various nursing scholarships are accessible across different nursing levels, with several being granted by state and local entities, while others are managed by national organizations. Identifying your desired nursing specialization before starting school can aid in discovering suitable funding opportunities. Numerous nursing organizations cater to specialized nurses and recognize members, including those without a license, who express an intention to pursue a career in their specific field of nursing.
