LRMC Nursing Scholarship Recipient Graduates ‘With Honors’
07/15/2009
Congratulations are in order for April Overland, RN, the first graduate of Lapeer Regional Medical Center’s Nursing Scholarship Program.
Overland received her degree “with honors” May 2 from Mott Community College in Flint. A graduate of Lapeer East High School, she began her nursing education, thanks to the LRMC Nursing Scholarship.
“Nursing school was difficult, but I learned a lot from the outstanding mentors at LRMC along with great clinical instructors at Mott,” Overland said. “Having the financial burden lifted off my shoulders has been great, especially in these tough economic times.”
LRMC instituted the Nursing Scholarship Program “to address not only the shortage of nurses but to invest in our community,” said LRMC Human Resources Manager Brenda VanWagoner.
“With the increasing need of patient care and the shortage of candidates pursuing the nursing field, the nursing professional is at a critical point of demand in Lapeer and across the nation,” VanWagoner said. “Through the program, we are able to provide career opportunities, which in turn, support the community and the medical center.”
The “full-ride” Nursing Scholarship covers tuition, fees and books for coursework leading to an Associates Degree in Nursing from various colleges. Currently, six individuals are enrolled in the program. Candidates are selected based on criteria such as senior status from selected high schools, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, recommendations from teachers and/or counselors, completion and submission of the application and participation in a selection interview.
Overland has worked at LRMC as a Student Attendant, Nurse Aide, Nurse Tech, and currently, as a Graduate Nurse (soon to be Registered Nurse).
“I am so appreciative to have been selected for the LRMC Nursing Scholarship and I look forward to applying the skills I have learned throughout my years of nursing school.”
For more information about the LRMC Nursing Scholarship Program or to apply for a scholarship, please contact the Human Resources Department at (810) 667-5630.