NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED TO PROPEL NURSING CAREERS AND MEET GROWING HEALTHCARE DEMANDS
The Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community has announced the VMRC Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarship. This scholarship, open to area residents and VMRC employees, is intended for aspiring nurses, career switchers and nursing assistants seeking to elevate their careers. It reflects VMRC’s commitment to cultivating a new wave of clinical professionals equipped to meet the growing demands for skilled nursing care throughout our communities.
“Every day, we witness the profound impact nurses have on residents in the VMRC community and the greater community,” according to Rebecca Kline, Interim Vice President of Supportive Living at VMRC. “This scholarship is not just an investment in individuals; it’s a vital step toward addressing the need for more skilled nurses in communities like ours. By providing financial support and resources, we aim to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue rewarding careers in nursing.”
As we approach a future where more than 70 million Americans will require increased healthcare services, the demand for skilled nursing professionals has never been more urgent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare sector is expected to add 2.6 million new jobs. By 2030, Registered Nurses will be at the forefront of this job expansion just as the U.S. population grows older.
This scholarship is designed to boost the nursing workforce at VMRC and throughout Harrisonburg and surrounding counties. The generous outpouring of financial support from community donors is making it all possible. Because of the amount of funds pledged for the nursing scholarship fund VMRC now can provide more than 20 full scholarships between 2025 and 2030. There is hope to grow that potential to provide as many scholarships as possible.
“Our generous donors understand the ongoing need for more nurses as much as we do, which is why they are supporting this scholarship fund,” said Joe Hackman, Chief Philanthropy Officer at VMRC. “Their contributions are making a direct impact on the future of nursing in our communities.
“By donating to the VMRC Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarship Fund, donors are helping to remove financial barriers for individuals who are eager to pursue a career in nursing but have concerns over where the money will come from. Community generosity will enable us to award more scholarships, provide essential resources and strengthen our numbers of skilled nurses,” Joe added.
The Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarship is named for longtime VMRC resident Mary Reitz, who taught for 35 years as a nurse educator at Massanutten Technical Center, RMH School of Nursing and Lancaster General School of Nursing. Reitz also served as a longtime member of the VMRC Board of Directors and has lived as a resident at VMRC since 2000. Ms. Reitz embodies the best qualities of the nursing profession regarding her care and commitment to ongoing learning and teaching others the art and science of nursing.
Key Scholarship Highlights:
Up to three full-tuition scholarships will be awarded annually: two for VMRC staff members and one for a member of our local community.
Current VMRC employees and members of the local community who are pursuing Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Registered Nurse (RN) degrees are eligible to apply.
Scholarships will be awarded in July of each year.
“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue a career in nursing,” said VMRC President and CEO Jake Bell. “By lowering the barriers to education and fostering a supportive community for nursing students, we are not only investing in individuals but also in the health and wellbeing of our residents and the greater population who rely on our healthcare systems.”
Applications for the VMRC Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarship will open on March 1, 2025, and will be accepted until April 30. For more information on eligibility and the application process, interested candidates can learn more here.
