Nursing Shortage Education Scholarship

I've always known I would pursue the terminal degree in nursing, that being a PhD. As a life-long learner, having a PhD will fulfill me with knowledge to continue learning and researching the nursing field at an elevated level. I started my nursing education with completing a BS in Nursing and a BS in Public Health Aging and Health, with a minor in Gerontology. My Masters in Nursing has a focus on Administration however, I much prefer teaching over administration at this time in my life. After entering the specialty of Labor and Delivery and subsequently obtaining my RNC-OB in late 2020, I had the itch to finally apply to the PhD program at Loyola University. To my surprise they accepted me for Fall 2021, however I pushed back my start date due to me being pregnant with my third child. Fall 2022 quickly approaches and I am seeking scholarship opportunities to help reduce the financial burden this PhD will place on my family. I have currently 3 small children, ages 5, 4, and 15 months at the time of this application. My husband currently is a stay-at-home Dad, with the exception of some DoorDash/Uber Eat deliveries when I am home. I work full-time 12 hour shifts at my community hospital (see profile) as Labor and Delivery Nurse. In addition, I teach clinical to ADN students through a community college. After working inpatient nursing, teaching ADN students, and raising my family, I still desire to further my education so that I can continue to give back. I want to bring the new generation of nurses into the healthcare field with a holistic perspective, safety, and passion in their bones. This will not be easy, however having a PhD will give me the tools I need broaden my own horizons, obtain the research needed, make connections in the education world, and encompass that all into my future teaching philosophy. Each educational opportunity I have come across and accomplished has made me a better, more well-rounded nurse, and even improved my interpersonal skills with my co-workers. I wish to keep striving to enhance my knowledge and encouraging others I know to go for higher education as well. Specifically with my PhD I wish to research in the field of maternity and childbirth. There is still such a need for education and advancement in this area, I will have more specific topics when I am closer to researching and writing my dissertation at the end of my graduate school time.