The Florida Nurses Foundation is proud to announce the endowment of two new scholarships that will support the education and growth of Florida’s future nurses.


The Dr. Billie Walker Schmucker Scholarship, established by the Sarasota County Nurse Practitioners, honors Dr. Schmucker’s legacy as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in mental health. This scholarship will be given annually to an APRN student in Sarasota or Manatee counties, with priority given to those in mental health who plan to practice in the state and are active members of a local Nurse Practitioner group. If no eligible candidate is identified, APRN students in any county in Florida will be considered.


The FNSA Carolyn Keister Scholarship has been created in honor of Carolyn Keister, who dedicated years of service as a faculty advisor to the Florida State College at Jacksonville chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association. This scholarship will be awarded through the Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA) and maintained by the Florida Nurses Foundation to support nursing students who demonstrate strong leadership and a commitment to professional development.
These scholarships represent the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to invest in the future of nursing and honor those who have shaped the profession. Endowing a scholarship is a meaningful way to give back—creating a lasting legacy that supports nursing education and strengthens the profession for generations to come.
For more information or to donate, please visit www.floridanurses.org/Foundation.