Easing Nurse Shortage, Increasing Patient Safety and Quality of Care
Blue Cross Announces $750,000 Nurse Scholarship Initiative

Wilkes-Barre, PA - September 8, 2004 - Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania today announced a $750,000 nurse scholarship initiative aimed at easing the region’s nursing shortage and increasing patient safety and the quality of regional patient care.

In partnership with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania will provide $250,000 per year for three years to support undergraduate nursing students. The grants will be administered through PHEF’s Nursing Education Initiative, a statewide initiative designed to help prospective colleges students choose nursing careers.

Denise S. Cesare, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania President and CEO, said, “This initiative is a responsive, visionary model of collaboration and partnership among academic institutions and the health care community. It is a meaningful social investment that embodies our commitment to the public good by supporting the education of nursing students.”

Grants will be distributed to all institutions of higher education offering nursing degrees in Blue Cross’s 13-county service area. Schools receiving grants include: Luzerne County Community College, Career Technology Center, College Misericordia, East Stroudsburg University and Hazleton Area Career Center.

Also, Mansfield University, Marywood University, Northern Tier Career Center, Wilkes University, Northhampton Community College-Monroe Campus, Penn State-Worthington, Pennsylvania College of Technology, University of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Area Vo-Tech.

“It is the spirit of giving and helping others that inspired me to become a nurse. It is reassuring to see that there are also others who value the concept of giving and encouragement of continuing education,” said Shannon Miranda, a Luzerne County Community College nursing student and scholarship recipient. “This grant will allow me to focus more on my studies by eliminating some of the financial burdens that have weighed on my mind.”

Reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Journal of the American Medical Association estimate that as many as one million registered nurse positions will be vacant by the year 2010.

Those reports also say:

• 47 percent of registered nurses plan to leave nursing within the next 10 years.

• 90 percent of nursing homes report insufficient nursing staff to provide care for the growing elderly population.

• Increases in nurse workloads coincide with increased mortality rates and decreased quality of care received by patients.

“We appreciate Blue Cross' commitment to health care and its future nurses. This donation is a perfect example of ways in which partnerships between the public and private sector can yield positive results for the people of our region,” said Senator Charles Lemmond, R-20, who serves on the PHEF Board of Directors.

"Pennsylvania's shortage of nurses and nurse educators places a serious strain on hospitals and health care providers," said Foundation President and CEO Michael H. Hershock. "Compounding this problem is the fact that tuition costs can deter many potential nurses from entering the field. Our unique combination of loan forgiveness, grants and awareness programs helps remove many financial obstacles, clearing the way for students to achieve a rewarding career and a lifetime of success."

Although the need for qualified nurses continues to increase, the number of nurses actually is decreasing. Currently, Pennsylvania’s registered nurse population averages approximately 45 years old. Almost one-third of practicing RNs are between the ages of 50 and 64. Only 17 percent of RNs are between age 20 and 34.

“This forward-looking decision by BCNEPA is exciting,” said William Host, MD, president and CEO at Wyoming Valley Health Care Systems. “The current nursing shortage is small compared to what is on the horizon. We must all pull together to meet the future need for nurses and this is a very enlightened and welcomed step.”

Nursing students may learn how to apply for Blue Cross scholarships by contacting their institution’s nursing department. Additional information and eligibility requirements are available at www.futuresinnursing.org or by calling 800-859-5442.