McKendree’s Division of Nursing Receives $150,000 Grant from IBHE

The grant will allow 20 students to attend the university’s RN to BSN program for less.

(LEBANON, Ill.) – The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) recently awarded McKendree’s Division of Nursing $150,000 for the Nursing School Grant for the 2024 fiscal year. The grant funds will provide tuition assistance to 20 new RN to BSN students from Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network members (ICAHN) and Southern Illinois Public Health Consortium (SIPHC) members.

Each student will be awarded $7,500 toward their RN to BSN program tuition. The purpose of the Nursing School Grant program is to increase the number of registered nurses graduating from Illinois institutions of higher learning. McKendree’s Division of Nursing proposal focused on individuals who live and work in rural areas in Illinois and providing those individuals with access to higher education.

“We are grateful for the opportunity this grant provides as we continue to look for ways to increase the number of nurses in Illinois and help combat the increasing nursing shortage,” said Dr. Kendra Taylor, assistant professor of nursing and Master of Health Administration program director at McKendree University. “Our RN to BSN program is an online program that allows individuals to continue working while finishing their degree.”

McKendree’s RN to BSN program is completely online and supports the nationwide focus and effort to help nursing professionals create a culture of health, reduce the amount of health disparities, and improve the health and well-being of all in the United States. Courses are offered in an eight-week online format, and many students can often complete the nursing program in as few as three semesters.

McKendree also offers other nursing degrees, including RN to MSN, Master of Health Administration, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and many more. To learn more, please visit www.mckendree.edu.