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.

Congratulations to the 2010 Nightingale Scholarship Winners

John R. Quinn, President & CEO of VNA Health Systems (pictured far right), recently hosted the Nightingale Scholarship reception. Pictured from left to right are the local nursing students who were each awarded a $1,200 Nightingale Scholarship: Brandon Ko of Yale University School of Nursing, Kaitlin Kowalsky of Sacred Heart University, Anna Kapusta of Quinnipiac University, April McGrath of Gateway Community College, and Megan Green of Southern Connecticut State University.