2010 Nursing Scholarship
VNA Foundation Awards Scholarships to Promote Community Nursing
The VNA Scholarship program is another means by which VNA works to preserve community-based services and promote community-focused nursing careers. Scholarships are awarded through Loyola University Neihoff School of Nursing to students in its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, and to Rush University College of Nursing for students in its Generalist Entry Master of Science in Nursing program. In return, scholarship recipients agree to practice for at least two years following graduation in a Chicago community- or home-based organization that serves the medically underserved.
Selected as the 2010 VNA Foundation ABSN Scholars are:
Crystal Benson
Rush University College of Nursing
MSN Summer 2011
Received $27,627 toward tuition and fees
Ms. Benson is a GEM student at Rush University College of Nursing. She received her basic nursing certificate, (including an award for clinical excellence) in 2003, and she earned an Associate’s Degree in Science from Malcolm X College in 2007. In 2009, Ms. Benson received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from University of Illinois at Chicago, and she will be graduating from Rush with a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree in the Summer of 2011. Prior to matriculating to Rush, Ms. Benson worked as a home healthcare worker and a certified nursing assistant, and she performed research on adolescent health promotion and underage drinking.
Christina Kapteyn
Loyola University Niehoff School of Nursing
BSN July 2010
Received $41,500 toward tuition and fees
Ms. Kapteyn is an ABSN student at Loyola University Niehoff School of Nursing. Ms. Kapteyn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Behavioral Arts with an emphasis on Sociology from Grand Valley State University in 2006. Before entering the ABSN program at Loyola, Ms. Kapteyn took her prerequisite courses at the City Colleges of Chicago from 2008-2009, and last July, she completed the accelerated degree program and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Ms. Kapteyn is currently enrolled in a residency program at Hines VA Hospital where she is training to become a home health nurse. Prior to entering Loyola, Ms. Kapteyn volunteered as a nursing assistant at Children’s Memorial Hospital, and for several years explored her artistic and managerial sides by working as a pastry chef and associate bakery team leader. See Ms. Kapteyn’s inspiring comments, presented at the VNA Foundation’s 2010 Annual Luncheon.
June Young
Rush University College of Nursing
MSN Winter 2012
Received $27,627 toward tuition and fees
Ms. Young is a GEM student at Rush University College of Nursing, where she will graduate with a Master’s of Science in Nursing in the winter of 2012. Ms. Young undertook her undergraduate training at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology–while also working as a research assistant, and volunteering at the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital, a battered women’s shelter and rape crisis hotline, and with an Adopt a Grandparent program. Since graduating with her BS, Ms. Young has worked in the field of mental health, with positions at Trinity Services, Maryville Academy and Riveredge Hospital
