Fairfield Memorial Hospital (FMH) has always been known as an organization that is ”Growing Their Own” physicians and other healthcare professionals. They do this by funding Medical School for future doctors who are interested in returning to the community to practice medicine. In addition, FMH partners with South East Illinois Area Health Education Center, Frontier Community College, and local high schools to provide Health Careers and CNA classes for high school students who are interested in working in healthcare. This year Fairfield Memorial Hospital has decided to enhance efforts of fostering future clinical professionals by offering a Nursing Scholarship Program.
According to the 2013 survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 55% of the nursing workforce is aged 50 or older. The batch of nurses that entered the nursing workforce in the 1970s is expected to retire between 2015 and 2022.
“As you can see from the expected trend, Fairfield Memorial Hospital is prepared to ensure there is not a shortage of quality nurses for our facility. We recognize the value of growing our own clinicians who our community knows and trusts. Therefore, by enhancing our offerings to support our future nurses through this special Nursing Scholarship Program, it will allow us to remain competitive with other healthcare organizations, along with providing us an invaluable recruiting opportunity and retention program to keep nurses serving in their home community,” stated Katherine Bunting-Williams, FMH CEO, Ph.D.
Students who are interested in applying for this scholarship will need to fill out a Nursing Scholarship Application that can be found on the Fairfield Memorial Hospital website under the Career Opportunities tab. https://www.fairfieldmemorial.org/content/career-opportunities. The following items are required: scholarship application, 2 paragraphs on your philosophy of customer service, two (2) letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all educational institutions attended. All of the documents required, along with the application, should be to be returned in a sealed envelope and sent to: Fairfield Memorial Hospital | Attn: Human Resource Department | 303 NW 11th Street, Fairfield IL, 62837 by the deadline of May 15th.
Applications are due by May 15th each year, so keep this in mind for future students. Interviews with the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Scholarship Committee will be conducted in early June each year.
