The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the shortage of registered nurses will reach 450,000 by 2008 and 1.2 million by 2014. “Attacking the problem at its root by funding the education of educators is essential,” Dr. Sculco declared.

Attacking the problem at its root by funding the education of educators is essential

NEF (http://www.n-e-f.org) has a long-standing commitment to support graduate education in nursing through scholarships, which were initiated in 1910 with a fund dedicated to Isabel Hampton Robb, a pioneering nurse educator. A century later, at this crucial time in history, NEF has launched a major fundraising campaign, instituted a national NEF Society of Scholars and implemented changes in its application process. These innovations are aimed at encouraging nurses to enroll in graduate programs to prepare them for positions in nursing education, advanced practice and health care administration.

NEF is seeking small and large gifts, and offering opportunities for endowed named scholarships, so that it can significantly increase its offerings and the number of nurses it helps. Past NEF recipients have been invited to serve as ambassadors in the NEF Society of Scholars and disseminate information about NEF to potential applicants.

The new streamlined NEF application can be accessed online at www.n-e-f.org. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. citizens, maintain membership in a national professional nursing organization, hold a current U.S. RN license, show evidence of previous scholarship, and be enrolled in a professionally accredited graduate nursing program.

In addition to individual donations and bequests, corporate gifts and planned giving programs can be established. Donations can be arranged through financial planning or through employer human resource departments and family foundations. Contributions to support NEF’s scholarship initiative are fully tax deductible and used exclusively to finance scholarships. No administrative costs are deducted.