SNAC increases scholarships to strengthen Suncoast's nursing workforce

Bolstered by a $50,000 grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation and continued support from area foundations, the Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition is increasing the number of nursing education scholarships it will award this spring.

Scholarships are earmarked for nursing students completing BSN degrees (bachelor's of science in nursing) at local, accredited nursing schools as well as for faculty nurses earning DNP degrees (doctorate of nursing practice) to expand BSN nursing school programs in the four-county Suncoast region.

"There's never been a more transformational time to be a nurse," said Jan Mauck, co-chair of SNAC, a grassroots coalition of hospital and academic nursing leaders serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. "The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled nurses at all levels to take on new and expanded leadership roles as they work globally to overcome unprecedented challenges in our health care system."

Aspiring nurses are encouraged to apply now for the 2023-24 academic year. Applications can be submitted at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (cfsarasota.org). Recipients must live or work in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

"We are extremely grateful to the Bishop Parker Foundation and all of our funders for the increased support," said Charles Baumann, a longtime community leader who serves as SNAC’s co-chair and volunteer business adviser. “Helping area nurses obtain BSN and advanced degrees not only helps counter the local nursing shortage, it also equips our nurses with the knowledge and expertise to help guide patients and our community through all complex medical situations, not just emergencies like COVID-19.”

Click here to see this piece as it originally appeared in Sarasota Herald-Tribune on Feb. 22, 2023.