Jacksonville University and Brooks Rehabilitation announced Jan. 28 the establishment of a scholarship for high-performing nursing students.
The Brooks Rehabilitation Nursing Excellence Scholarship provides financial support for students enrolled in JU’s accelerated and traditional bachelor of science in nursing programs and creates a direct pathway to employment within the Brooks system of care.
The scholarship offers a solution to address the challenges of nurse supply and demand as Florida faces projections of an insufficient registered nurse workforce over the next decade, Joanne Hoertz, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Brooks Rehabilitation, said in a news release.
“Partnering with Jacksonville University as an academic partner enhances the value of nursing and aligns with the long-term strategic goals of both our organization and the profession,” Hoertz said.
The scholarship awards students between $10,000 and $25,000 based on program track and work-agreement length.
The money is applied directly to tuition and paired with an employment opportunity at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital – University Campus or the Halifax Health | Brooks Rehabilitation Center for Inpatient Rehabilitation after graduation.
The program includes mentorship, clinical experience and a pathway to transition to the role of the RN in full-time practice.
“This scholarship reflects our shared commitment with Brooks Rehabilitation to help remove financial barriers and create clear pathways for talented students to succeed,” said Mark Tillman, dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences at Jacksonville University, in the release.
Kathryn Romanek is a scholarship recipient who now works as a nurse at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital – University Campus.
“At Brooks, I have already been able to receive my certified rehabilitation registered nurse credential, become a charge relief nurse and part of the rapid response team. I plan to keep expanding my nursing knowledge,” she said.
Brooks Rehabilitation says it operates one of the nation’s largest comprehensive systems of physical rehabilitation services. The organization treats more than 74,000 patients each year in its inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health services, aging services and community programs.