December 14, 2017

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RWJF announces the fifth and final cohort for innovative program

MILWAUKEE — Marquette University's College of Nursing is one of 31 schools selected to receive a grant to increase the number of nurses who hold Ph.D. degrees. The selected schools comprise the fifth cohort of grantees of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program, which will provide financial support, mentoring and leadership development to nurses who commit to earn their Ph.D. in three years. Marquette will select two nursing students to receive this prestigious scholarship.

"It is an incredible honor to be selected for the scholars program," College of Nursing Dean Janet Krejci said. "The candidates who will receive this support will join other scholars across the country in their journey to becoming nurse scientists who will make significant contributions to the field."

In its landmark nursing report, the Institute of Medicine recommended that the country double the number of nurses with doctorates. While enrollment in doctorate of nursing practice programs has increased exponentially, Ph.D. enrollment has seen less growth. The Future of Nursing Scholars program was designed to increase Ph.D.-prepared nurses. Doing so will ensure that more nurses are conducting vital research and will also help address the nurse faculty shortage.

The Future of Nursing Scholars program is funded by multi organizations. In addition to RWJF, Johnson & Johnson, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Sharp HealthCare, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are supporting the Future of Nursing Scholars grants to nursing schools this year. Marquette is receiving its grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program.

Marquette will select two scholars in spring of 2018, and those students will attend a boot camp with the Future of Nursing Scholars program that summer and begin their Ph.D. studies in fall. This highly competitive funding intends to address the ever-growing shortage of Ph.D. prepared nurses. Priority will be given to students from under-represented groups.

Contact Clare Peterson in the Office of Marketing and Communication at (414) 288-6195, with questions.