Decatur Memorial Foundation and Millikin University have created the Nursing Scholars Program to help nursing students continue their education and gain hands-on experience, while also strengthening the nursing workforce in Decatur.
Millikin nursing students selected for the program can earn up to $50,000 in scholarships and tuition assistance with a three-year employment commitment at Decatur Memorial Hospital after graduation. The program is supported by donors to the Decatur Memorial Foundation.
“The demand for nurses will only continue to grow,” said Tanya Andricks, president and CEO of Decatur Memorial Hospital. “Our goal is to help local students with the support they need to complete their education and launch their careers here in Decatur.”
“Millikin’s School of Nursing has a long tradition of preparing exceptional nurses through our Performance Learning model,” said Dr. Dean Pribbenow, president of Millikin University. “This partnership with Decatur Memorial Hospital allows our students to gain valuable real-world experience while receiving meaningful financial support. It also helps ensure that talented graduates can begin their careers serving the healthcare needs of central Illinois communities.”
The program is open to junior or senior students in a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program, or a master’s entry into nursing practice (MENP). Nursing Scholars will also benefit from hands-on experience as they finish their degree, with a minimum 16 hours a month spent working alongside nurses at DMH.
Six Nursing Scholars will be selected each year from a competitive application process.
"The Millikin–Memorial Nursing Scholars Program is an incredible opportunity for our students,” said Teresa Gulley, director of the Millikin University School of Nursing. “By easing financial burden, this program allows students to focus more fully on their academic and clinical preparation rather than working substantial hours to meet financial needs.”
Memorial Health has academic partnerships with nursing schools across central Illinois, including Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois College, Lincoln Land Community College, Richland Community College and University of Illinois Chicago at Springfield. Each partnership has a unique focus, with a shared goal of increasing access to nursing education and building a stronger nursing workforce across central Illinois.
“Millikin’s legacy of excellent nursing education makes them an ideal partner for us,” Andricks said. “We’re proud to help talented future nurses get a great start in our community.”