DECEMBER 21, 2001 - Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) Director Kathleen Wilbur announced that Michigan State University will receive $10,000 to provide scholarships for three students in the university's advanced practice nursing program.

This $10,000 nursing scholarship grant is part of a program initiated last year by CIS to address a national shortage in the advanced practice nursing profession. The Michigan Board of Nursing, a CIS board of health professionals and public members appointed by Governor John Engler, proposed a scholarship fund after it determined a need for advanced practice nursing professionals based on state and national health data.

Wilbur said the state program has already disbursed nearly $400,000 to Michigan colleges and universities and provided more than 100 additional advanced practice nurses in medically underserved communities.

"The response to the program by the eligible Michigan colleges and universities has been very enthusiastic. Health care statistics indicate a need for advanced practice nursing professionals across the nation, and Michigan is certainly no exception," Wilbur said. "Our goal is to have the scholarship recipients from each advanced practice nursing program working in different counties in Michigan to provide better coverage in areas where their services are needed the most."

Administrative rules went into effect on November 17, 1999 enabling the state to collect a $2 fee for R.N. and P.N. licenses to fund the program. The 16 Michigan schools with accredited advanced practice nursing programs were then invited to apply for participation in the scholarship program.

The applicants were asked to select students studying to become a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist depending on the program the school offers. The scholarship recipients are required to possess a Michigan nursing license in good standing, be a Michigan resident, be willing to work in a county designated as medically underserved, and may not be receiving a full scholarship from another source. The scholarships provide a one-time grant of up to $5,000 for tuition, books and fees.

The scholarship recipients from Michigan State University’s College of Nursing are:

·  Diane Bluhm, Hershey

· Maureen Sheppard, Mason

· Valerie Savina, Grand Haven

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.