The goals of the Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing program are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level. What better way to inspire future nurses then to honor nursing students for academic and community achievement.

In partnering with local nursing programs including Gateway Community College, Sacred Heart University, Southern Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University and Yale School of Nursing, the Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing provides five $1,200 scholarships – one scholarship to a deserving student at each School of Nursing. The respective Schools of Nursing select the scholarship nominee based on demonstrated financial need and qualities that suggest the student may be a future Nightingale nominee.  To date, New Haven's Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing Program has awarded $45,000 in scholarships.

Congratulations to the 2013 Nightingale Scholarship Winners

On April 8, 2013, Robert Motley, Board Chairman, and John R. Quinn, President & CEO of VNA Health Systems hosted the 2013 Nightingale Scholarship reception. Pictured are the local nursing students who were each awarded a $1,200 Nightingale Scholarship (from left): Suzie Clarke Allen of Yale School of Nursing; Sandra Quigley of Sacred Heart University;Tamara Vasquez of Gateway Community College; Jennifer Basler of Southern CT State University; and Linda Magliocco of Quinnipiac University.