Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation and Johnson & Johnson Partner for Fundraiser
Promise of Nursing for Pennsylvania event raises more than $550,000

Harrisburg, PA - April 3, 2008 - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation (PHEF) with Johnson & Johnson recently held a fundraising event in Philadelphia as part of Johnson & Johnson's national Campaign for Nursing's Future. The Campaign raised more than $550,000 at the event. The proceeds will go to help support the Foundation's Nursing Faculty Lines Program that supports the increase in the number of nurse educators and its grant and scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate nursing students.

Since 2005, Promise of Nursing for Pennsylvania events have raised more than $1.1 million for student and faculty aid programs in the Commonwealth.

“PHEF's programs in conjunction with Independence Blue Cross have been critical to hundreds of our students embarking on careers in nursing and nursing education. Without this financial assistance, many would not be able to complete their studies,” said Dr. M. Louise Fitzpatrick, Connelly Endowed Dean and professor at Villanova University College of Nursing. “PHEF’s contributions have been enhanced by significant community partners such as Johnson & Johnson. Their campaign is a vital component in fundraising to remedy the dire shortage of nurses and nursing faculty in Pennsylvania and the nation, providing our citizens with the professional nursing care they need and deserve.”

Nearly 800 area nurses and health care professionals attended the fundraiser at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown to celebrate the nursing profession. This year, the Campaign launched a Promise of Nursing for Pennsylvania video challenge, encouraging nurses and nursing students to capture their roles in the nursing profession. The team from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing were the grand prize winners and were awarded a $5,000 education grant.

“Over the past five years, and with the help of our donor partners, the Foundation has distributed more the $52 million to help tens of thousands of students afford the education they need to make a better life and to ensure continued, quality health care for those in need,” said PHEF President and CEO, Michael Hershock. “And many thanks to Johnson & Johnson for helping us raise money in support of our nursing aid programs through events like the Promise of Nursing for Pennsylvania.”

The Pennsylvania nursing shortage mirrors a national shortfall of nurses and according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Pennsylvania health care providers may experience a 41 percent vacancy rate in nursing positions by the year 2020.

However, the Foundation's aid programs and public awareness campaigns have ignited much interest in the nursing profession in Pennsylvania from both traditional high school students looking to identify a career choice and returning students who are looking for a second career. Over the past five years, Pennsylvania nursing schools have seen a 59% increase in undergraduate enrollment, an 86% increase in graduation rates, plus improvements in both licensure pass-rates and nursing vacancy rates at health care facilities.

For additional information on the Foundation's student aid programs for nursing students, visit www.FuturesInNursing.org.