WE ARE SPRINGING into the season, and with new buds forming on the trees, and grass turning green that means it is also time for new things to emerge for SCNF. With semesters in full swing, students are working hard to understand concepts that will allow them to become clinicians at the bedside. Nurses and Nurse Practitioners are working diligently to help the populations they serve. Both, however, need resources to help their progression into their careers. So, with the new season, this presents a time where individuals can support their educational pursue to help the citizens of South Carolina through initiatives to raise funds for scholarships. As we progress into spring, SCNF will be engaging in multiple ways to award and provide scholarships to individuals looking for support to pursue their dreams.

The Palmetto Gold Gala is fast approaching, with registration for the event well underway. At this event, nurses and student nurses from across the state will be recognized for their excellent work within the profession. At least 15 students will receive scholarships, while 100 nurses will receive recognition for their efforts across South Carolina. The Palmetto Gold Gala will be held at 6:30 PM on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. But the opportunities to raise funds for nurses and student nurses does not stop there. With Nurse’s Month coming, multiple opportunities will provide a means to support those dreams. Midlands Gives Day will be held during Nurse’s Week this year and provides the first chance for donors to support nurses and student nurses. A new event will also be held as a joint venture between SCNF and SCNA as the inaugural Nurses’ 5K in Columbia, SC on Saturday May 18, 2024. This 5K is open to any runners, but especially nurses, with 50% of the profits going to support scholarships for nurses and student nurses. To learn more about the 5K and register, please visit our social media pages or our website at www.scnursesfoundation.org.

Caring for others requires learning more, and learning more requires caring more. If we strive to help individuals realize their dreams and ambitions of becoming nurses or advanced practice nurses, we can give to a common need that supports us all. We can help them overcome obstacles, be bold in our endeavors, and allow compassionate people who gracefully serve others every day to achieve their goals. Our humanity is what drives us to care for others more than we care for ourselves.

South Carolina (SC) needs more nurses. Nurses need scholarships. Achieving the goal of becoming a nurse or advanced practice nurse takes massive effort financially, physically, and mentally. Earning a nursing degree can take from 2-4 years. Advanced practice degrees add 2-3 years to achieve. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.) degrees add another 1-6 years of education. These educational goals are not just for individuals; the patients receive better care and outcomes with more highly educated nurses. SCNF’s mission is to provide scholarships for nurses and to ease the burden of the cost of an education. Now is the time to consider giving to the SCNF. You can donate in various ways. The SCNF social media accounts link back to the main website, where a donate button can be found. The license plate initiative shows everyone you are a nurse. Just Cause Apparel gives 50% of the profits on scrubs sold to the person’s charity of choice to assist nurses and nursing students with scholarships. All you have to do is choose SCNF as the cause of choice. Midlands Gives offers another method of supporting nurses across the state. Bequeathments from estates and “Friends of the Foundation” donations help offset the cost of running SCNF. The Board of Trustees for SCNF are all volunteers. We all understand how hard nurses work. SCNF is working hard to help nurses, but this cannot be done without you! We want to help people pursue their dreams. Remember: SC needs nurses, and SCNF needs donations to give more nurses and student nurses scholarships. Please donate today!