Applications are now open for the Bernadette East Nursing Scholarship, which will provide a successful applicant with $3000 toward their third-year studies for a bachelor of nursing. Applicants must have successfully completed year two of their studies toward the degree, and either be resident in South Canterbury or have completed their high school education in the province.
The scholarship is in memory of Bernadette East, a senior nurse at Bidwill Trust Hospital for 39 years who had a passion for nursing with a focus on quality and excellence.
She saw her job as one that ensured patients received the best care and attention and, as a consequence, she was responsible for quality systems at Bidwill that are still in place now.
The nursing scholarship in her name is especially apt because Bernadette gave many people their professional break. She mentored and encouraged people to see things in themselves that they did not see.
The scholarship is open to any nurse who meets the criteria — they do not have to be specifically training for surgical nursing. They also do not have to be working at Bidwill Trust Hospital and will not be bonded to work at the hospital in future as a condition of receiving the scholarship.
Academic achievement and contribution to nursing and community will be part of the assessment process.
Applications are open now and must be received by January 31, 2023. The successful applicant will be notified by February 28, 2023 and receive their funds shortly afterward.
An application form is downloadable here: Bidwill Trust Hospital – Scholarship (bidwillhospital.co.nz)
Tina Rogers,
general manager, Bidwill