Inside Duke Medicine

SON scholarship money benefits under-represented groups

Duke University School of Nursing's accelerated program has used its funding from the Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program to advance the matriculation of under-represented groups in nursing. This past year, Duke was able to increase its matriculation pool by 10 percent.

The Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education at Duke Dr. Michael Relf was involved in last year's Careers scholarship selection, a process which enabled seven additional students to join the nursing program- all of whom have gone on to exceed expectations and excel in the four-semester program at Duke. With a changing demography in the U.S., Dr. Relf believes that a diverse and unique nursing workforce will provide the best science-based care around our nation.

One of the seven scholarship recipients at Duke, Maggie Wigfall describes her opportunity with the program as a "blessing." A thirty two year-old African American mother of two, Wigfall left medical school after three years and a self realization that it wasn't suited for her. But her growing interest in the health field remained strong. A nurturing spirit and hands-on attitude were characteristics she believed would equip her well for the nursing profession- a career she was attracted to because of the endless opportunities and direct patient care.

A peer of Wigfall's and another New Careers in Nursing scholar, Ceana Dockery applied to the program in pursuit of fueling the passion to work with pre-natal and pediatric populations. At thirty-three, Dockery wants to take her teaching expertise to the next level, aspiring to impact child health globally. The financial demands of earning a graduate degree would have made it nearly impossible for Dockery to attend Duke, however, with the New Careers in Nursing funding through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant, she not only engages in an accelerated study program, but has the unique opportunity to learn and service abroad, like an upcoming trip to Tanzania doing post-natal care and HIV/AIDS clinical work.

According to Dr. Relf, there were one-hundred and fifty applicants with the qualified GPA/GRE metrics but that number far exceeded the school's capacity. He points out that amidst the nursing shortage, it doesn't seem right to turn away highly qualified applicants that are needed in the workforce. With grantee programs like the New Careers in Nursing however, Dr. Relf believes that Duke will be able to enroll more highly qualified students and further solidify their vision to engage underrepresented groups in nursing.

As a former teacher of Appalachian children, Dockery counsels, "Those considering a career in nursing should never give up - they should be sure they are passionate about it because it takes effort and energy but is truly rewarding."