For immediate release

BostonWorks and Massachusetts Hospital Association Accepting Applications for 2006 Nursing Faculty Profession Scholarship

Scholarship Established to Cultivate the Future of Nursing

BOSTON, MA - April 5, 2006 - BostonWorks and the Massachusetts Hospital Association are currently accepting applications for the 2006 Nursing Faculty Scholarship, a $20,000 scholarship designed to promote, encourage and support nurses who are preparing to become academic faculty. Applications must be received no later than April 21. The presentation of the scholarship will take place at the 4th Annual BostonWorks Salute to Nurses breakfast on May 11.

Established through a donation from BostonWorks, the Nursing Faculty Scholarship is being administered by the Massachusetts Hospital Association. The scholarship will award $20,000 to a selected nurse who is currently enrolled in a graduate-level program with the intention of becoming full- or part-time nursing faculty upon completion.

"Over the past few years, there has been considerable public focus on the nursing shortage, creating significant interest in nursing as a profession," said Jason Kissell, managing director of BostonWorks. "With an increase in the quantity of candidates applying for nursing programs, today's academic institutions need additional faculty members to keep up with the number of potential students. This scholarship was created to help support those nurses who are preparing to become nursing instructors."

To be eligible for the Nursing Faculty Profession Scholarship, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen and a Registered Nurse. The applicant must be either accepted to or currently enrolled in a graduate level nursing program with a course load of no less than six credits. Applicants must show documentation of academic excellence and must have a documented commitment to nursing faculty role preparation. The recipient of the scholarship must plan to serve as academic faculty upon completion of the program. In addition to the submission form, applicants for the scholarship must submit a cover letter describing academic accomplishments, work accomplishments and career goals, a copy of their school transcripts and three confidential reference letters. Applications for the scholarship program are available on the Massachusetts Hospital Association Web site at www.mhalink.org/public/education/scholarship.cfm.

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