Nurse scholars program.

The Nurse Scholars Program was developed for two reasons: to attract highly qualified students to nursing, and to increase the retention of graduates as they enter employment in local agencies following graduation. Scholars receive dollar 10,000 for each of their junior and senior years and are asked to work for 1 year at the agency for each dollar 10,000 received. Additional monies are set aside to assist graduate and doctoral students through stipends. Scholars are paired with Mentors, nurses selected for their expertise and experience and brought into the "family" of the hospital through special events. Mentors are included in educational activities and related programs. To date, dollar 840,000 has been committed to the program, and data regarding the success of the program are continually being assessed.