The University of New Mexico College of Nursing has received a gift exceeding $450,000 from Western Sky Community Care to fund scholarships for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students. This funding will be allocated to 10 students for the 2024-2025 academic year.
"Health care providers see increasingly complex patients and have an expanding and changing scope of practice and available treatments to address the needs of their patients and their families," said Carolyn Montoya, PhD, RN, CPNP, FAAN, FAANP, Interim Dean of the UNM College of Nursing. "This is why getting a DNP is so important for our nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives."
DNP students are registered nurses with bachelor's degrees who are transitioning to roles as nurse practitioners or nurse-midwives with independent full-scope practice, including full prescriptive authority in New Mexico. Due to their existing qualifications and workforce status, these students often face challenges in securing traditional grants and scholarships. The financial support from Western Sky Community Care aims to alleviate these burdens, making it possible for more students to pursue advanced degrees that will ultimately benefit healthcare services in New Mexico.
"Western Sky Community Care’s generous gift will be of significant help to our students, allowing them to focus on their studies without the worry of excessive debt after graduation," Montoya added.
Western Sky Community Care, a Medicaid managed care organization based in Albuquerque, identified a critical need for nursing care in rural New Mexico. Their donation is intended to support future nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives specializing in rural health, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, maternal-child health, and other healthcare areas. The funds will cover all anticipated educational expenses including tuition and fees, housing, food, textbooks and supplies, transportation, and test preparation.
