NLN CEO Responds to Nursing Student's Letter to President Obama

By Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, CEO, National League for Nursing

Dear Jen,

You can see from my salutation that I am not a bill collector! In fact, I am writing today to echo the sentiment you received from President Obama (which I read about in the Washington Post) in response to your letter to him: Always dream big.

On behalf of the National League for Nursing and AARP’s Center to Champion Nursing in America (who kindly gives us this opportunity to post on their blog), I want you to know how thrilled we are that your dreams include becoming a nurse. You were wise to take advantage of the president’s increased funding for Pell Grants, which have facilitated the return to school for so many.

With the continuing shortage of nurses, the profession really needs more people like you. And because nursing schools are so selective these days (according to the NLN’s annual survey of nursing schools, approximately one in four qualified applications are denied admission each year, due to space limitations), you are to be congratulated on your admission to the program at your local community college. Indeed, quite an achievement.
At the NLN we speak often of and provide opportunities for professional growth and lifelong learning. The associate degree can be a path directly to graduate study. With an MSN, you would qualify to join the ranks of nurse faculty and teach other aspiring nurses. 

Nursing is a calling where you truly will make a difference. Working on the frontlines in hospitals, clinics, and other health care agencies that serve an economically and culturally diverse population, today’s nurses help improve access to quality health care every day. Since you lost your own health benefits when you were facing a health care crisis, I know you understand just how important that is. 

Our best wishes for your speedy recovery. May you soon resume your nursing studies and continue to pursue all your dreams for yourself and your family!

Sincerely,
Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN
CEO, National League for Nursing
New York City
 

Editor's Note: This blog was written in response to the letter sent to President Obama by a Michigan nursing student: Washington Post, March 31.