Nevada Nurses Foundation & Legacy Scholarships

Nevada Nurses Foundation & Legacy Scholarships is sponsored by Nevada Nurses Foundation. The Nevada Nurses Foundation provides financial assistance to deserving Nevada nursing students and nurses as they pursue becoming a Registered Nurse or advancing their degrees in nursing.

Nevada Nurses Foundation: Nevada Nurses Foundation & Legacy Scholarships Developing Quality Health Care for Nevada Citizens by Promoting The Development of Professional Nursing Continuing Education Courses Become a Foundation Sponsor Sponsor a Legacy Scholarship Nevada Nurses Events Calendar Continuing Education Courses Foundation Scholarship Application Nevada Nurses Association (NNA) Nevada APN Association (NAPNA) RegisteredNursing.

org Web Site Other Health-Related Resources Nevada Nurses Foundation & Legacy Scholarships Jami-Sue Coleman Scholarship $1,000 donated by Jami-Sue Coleman, PhD, RN, MS HSA, MBA, CCM, CNE, CPN, CNL Rosemary Witt Scholarships Two $500 scholarships donated by NNA District 3 Nevada Nurses Foundation Scholarships Multiple amounts donated by supporters of the NNF Arthur L.

Davis Scholarship Three $1,000 scholarships donated by Mark Miller Katherine "Kat" Cylke Scholarship $1,000 donated by Katherine Cylke John & Debra Scott Endowed Nursing Scholarship Endowment donated by John & Debra Scott, MSN, RN, FRE Vroman & Wildes Scholarships Two $1,000 scholarships donated by Gregg Vroman & Patty Wildes Jessie J.

Valentine Scholarship $1,000 donated by Carson Tahoe Health Medical Center Mary Lucell Johnson Scholarship $1,000 donated by Denise Ogletree McGuinn, APRN, RN, D. Minn.

Two $1,000 scholarships donated by Debra Scott, MSN, RN, FRE Christine Watson Scholarship $500 donated by Dr. Susan and Paul Michael Rural & Frontier Nurse Scholarship $1,000 donated by the Rural & Frontier Nurses Committee, the NNF, and other donors Nevada Alliance for Nursing Excellence (NANE) $1,000 donated by Nevada Alliance for Nursing Excellence Nevada Nurses Association (NNA) $1,046 scholarship donated by NNA $1,000 donated by Hurst Review Services Life Guard International, Inc. — Flying ICU Tiffany Urresti Memorial Flight Nurse Scholarship $1,000 donated by Life Guard International Flying ICU Praus & Choe Scholarships 3 scholarships totaling $2,000 donated by Teresa Praus, APRN, & Dr. Ian Choe Maude Arnold & Ethel Ann Lewis Scholarship $1,000 donated by Martha Drohobyczer, CNM, MSN, APRN Nevada Advanced Practice Nurses Association (NAPNA) $1,000 donated by Nevada Advanced Practice Nurses Association Elizabeth Fildes Scholarship $1,000 donated by Elizabeth E.

Fildes, EdD, RN, CNE, CARN-AP, APHN-BC Wound Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) Scholarship $1,200 & $1,500 donated by Betty Razor, BSN, RN, CWOCN Southwest Medical Associates Southwest Medical On-Demand Scholarships $1,000 donated by Dr. Eugene Somphone Emma Marrujo Redmon Scholarship $1,000 donated by Sandy Olguin, DNP, MSN, RN Applications for the Fall, 2026, scholarships are currently being accepted between August 1 and August 31, 2026 .

If you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships, please complete an application form during this time. Additional information and criteria are provided on the application page. We are pleased to provide assistance to very deserving Nevada nursing students and nurses as they pursue becoming a Registered Nurse or advancing their degrees in nursing.

The Foundation understands that education takes time, money, and commitment. The scholarship recipients are making a genuine difference in the delivery of quality healthcare for Nevada citizens. Please take a moment to read about these recipients, and consider making a donation of your time, resources, or expertise.

Thanks to the generous charitable donations from the people and organizations who support the Nevada Nurses Foundation. Since 2015 the Foundation has awarded more than $271,446 in Foundation and Legacy Scholarships to 235 recipients to further their nursing education. If not for the generosity of many donors and supporters, the Foundation would not be able to reach and impact as many nurses and student nurses in Nevada.

With your assistance through donations and patronizing our special events, our goal is to provide financial assistance for many more nurses and nurses-to-be. Please click on the link to learn how you can help. Endowment donations provide a wonderful way to provide ongoing, stable scholarship funding.

Donors have the opportunity to define the name of the scholarship as well as any special criteria for applicants and recipients to meet. If you would like more information, please contact scholarships@NVNursesFoundation. org .

Donors may request their donation be applied to a legacy scholarship. These donors have the opportunity to define the name of the scholarship as well as any special criteria for applicants and recipients to meet. Such scholarships are frequently named after the donor, referencing a field of study, or in memory of someone the donor wishes to honor.

Some of the legacy scholarships first established in a given year were renewed in subsequent years by generous donations from their sponsors. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, and a number of them have special requirements established by If you are interested in sponsoring a legacy scholarship, please Legacy Scholarship page for more information.

The following people have generously volunteered over the years to serve as judges for the NNF scholarship program: Nicki Aaaker, MSN, MPH, RN Karen Bearer, MA Ed, BSN, RN Mary Bemker, PhD, MSN, CADC, LPCC, RN Mary Bondmass, PhD, RN, CNE, MSN, BSN Andrew Brown, MSN, APRN, FNP, RN Judi Carrion, EdD, MSN/Ed, MSHS, RN-BC, CNOR Margaret Covelli, DPN, RN Maria D'Errico, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC Glenn Hagerstrom, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE Wallace Henkelman, Ed.

D, MSN, RN Heidi Johnston, DNP, RN, CNE Vicky Lang Catlin, MSN-Ed, RN, CLE, CNE Jennifer McCarthy, BSN, RN Tracey McCollum, MSN, BSN, RN, PHN, CENP, NEA-BC Donna Miller, EMSRN, CMTE Denise Ogletree McGuinn, APRN, RN, D.

Minn Sandra Olguin, DNP, MSN, RN Lauren Parker, APRN, FNP-C, IHC Rowena Trim, RN, BSN, MPH Julie Wagner, PhD, MSN, RN Vicki Walker, DNP, BS, RN 2026 Spring Scholarship Recipients 2026 NNF Scholarship Recipient, RN to BSN Program Kyrie lives in Reno and is attending the RN to BSN program at Western Governor's University.

She works as a Registered Nurse at Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, where she provides care for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Through continued education, she plans to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with a focus on developing outreach programs for underserved populations and improving access to care for individuals with severe mental illness.

Her long-term goal is to help bridge gaps in mental health services while supporting stabilization, recovery, and community reintegration. Outside of work and school, Kyrie enjoys spending time with her three children and training in 2026 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Pre-Licensure ADN Melanie is currently a nursing student at Carrington College, set to graduate in September.

She also works in cardiology at Renown Health, where she continues to gain valuable experience in the healthcare field. Outside of work and school, she enjoys spending time outdoors and being with her family. After graduation, Melanie hopes to become a pediatric nurse while continuing to grow into a knowledgeable and dependable nurse.

2026 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Doctorate Program 2026 Debra & Dr. John Scott Endowed Scholarship Elda is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Through her doctoral education she hopes to help address gaps in access to mental health care, particularly for individuals experiencing homelessness and other underserved populations. Her goal is to develop innovative, community-based models that improve access to psychiatric services and ensure that vulnerable individuals receive compassionate, timely, and equitable care.

She is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are often overlooked and advocating for a more accessible and inclusive healthcare 2026 Jessie J. Valentine Scholarship Recipient Taylor is currently a Labor and Delivery nurse at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, where she has worked for approximately six years.

She is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice–Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) degree at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Taylor is passionate about women's health, evidence-based practice, and improving patient outcomes, and she looks forward to continuing to serve the Northern Nevada community as a family nurse Chelsea Erickson, MSN, APRN, 2026 NNF Scholarship Recipient, MSN Chelsea's passion for serving others began with eight years of honorable service in the United States Army, where she developed the resilience, leadership, and clinical foundation that continue to shape her approach to patient care.

Following her military service, she became a Registered Nurse and built her career in a high-acuity Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit, caring for critically ill and injured patients while earning recognition for her compassion and clinical excellence. She later pursued advanced practice nursing, becoming board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Today, Chelsea provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults. She is deeply committed to reducing barriers to mental healthcare and believes in treating the whole person rather than simply addressing symptoms.

Her clinical interests include trauma-informed care, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and expanding access to quality behavioral healthcare in underserved communities. She believes that mental and physical health are inseparable and is passionate about creating a model of care that reflects that philosophy. Maria Cordova Solares, RN 2026 Jessie J.

Valentine Scholarship Recipient For the past six years, Maria has had the privilege of caring for patients as an RN with experience in telemetry, travel nursing, and as a Pre-Op RN at CTH. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Orvis School of Nursing in 2020, and she is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Her passion of serving underserved communities is inseparable from her doctoral project, which focuses on evaluating a diabetes management program at a local Federally Qualified Health Center. This FQHC focuses on providing care to uninsured, underinsured, and low income patients, with a majority of the population being Hispanic/Latino.

As a bilingual future FNP Maria hopes to provide compassionate, culturally entities care and help improve health outcomes for the communities she serves. 2025 Spring Scholarship Recipients 2025 Jessie J. Valentine Scholarship Recipient Jaquelin is currently a nursing student at Carrington College in Reno, set to graduate in July, 2026.

Caring for others has always been a passion of hers. She has always enjoyed helping her loved ones when they were sick, and that compassion is what led her to pursue a career in healthcare. She began her career in 2009 as a medical assistant, starting in pediatrics and later transitioning into OB/GYN.

In addition to working at Carson Medical Group in OB/GYN, she also took a position as a unit clerk in the Labor and Delivery Unit at Carson Tahoe. That experience is where her love for nursing truly grew. She plans to become a Labor and Delivery nurse, supporting families through one of the most powerful and intimate moments of their lives.

Being bilingual, Jaquelin is passionate about providing culturally sensitive care and advocating for patients who may face language or cultural barriers. 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Pre-Licensure ADN Karen began her journey in healthcare over 12 years ago as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), where she developed a passion for patient care and advocacy.

That passion led her to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), a role she has proudly served in for the past 17 years. Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to providing compassionate care, particularly to the geriatric population. With this scholarship, Karen will be able to further her education and continue her mission of serving those in need while being part of a team that gives back to our community.

She looks forward to using her experience and education to improve healthcare access for all. 2025 Jessie J. Valentine Scholarship Recipient Ashley lives in Reno and is currently in her second semester of the Nursing Program at TMCC, graduating in the spring of 2026.

She currently works as a float-pool CNA at Carson Tahoe Hospital. She aspires to be a Cardiac ICU nurse upon graduation to advocate for patients and provide vigilant care in their most vulnerable moments. Ashley has a hearing disability, which taught her the importance of resilience and deepened her empathy for patients who face a wide-range of obstacles in their health.

She wants to use her personal experience as a positive and let it motivate her to provide compassionate care, and not let anything limit her from 2025 Debra & Dr. John Scott Endowed Scholarship Kalea was born and raised in Hawaii, moving to Las Vegas to pursue nursing at the University of Nevada Las Vegas as a first generation college student. Her decision to pursue nursing is deeply personal.

As a child, she spent countless hours in hospitals and clinics, not as a patient but as a worried daughter. Her father was ill, and she watched helplessly as he endured appointment after appointment. However, amidst the fear and uncertainty, there was one constant source of comfort – the nurses.

They didn't just care for her father; they cared for her too. They spoke to her, reassured her, and included her in his care in ways that made her feel safe, heard, and valued. During that time Kalea decided she wanted to be the person who brings comfort in times of distress, who helps patients and families feel less alone in their struggles.

Nursing is not just her career choice; it is her purpose. 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, RN to BSN Program Kasie currently lives in Spring Creek, NV, and works as a charge nurse in the labor and delivery department of Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital. She is a passionate mother of three girls.

Her other passion is breastfeeding education and she is a certified lactation counselor. Her goal is to reach as many mothers as possible to help them achieve breastfeeding success and support them through labor, birth, and motherhood. Kasie is pursuing her BSN as she looks towards moving into more leadership roles.

When she is not with her sweet girls or at work helping new moms, she enjoys 2025 Nevada Nurses Association District 3 Scholarship Janai is currently a BSN student at Nevada State University in Henderson, with plans to graduate in May, 2027.

Nearly two decades ago, she began her nursing journey as a LPN, cultivating a strong commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care across diverse environments, such as skilled nursing facilities and home health care agencies. The challenges she faced during the pandemic, combined with her unwavering dedication to compassionate care, have inspired her to reignite her academic pursuits after a significant pause.

In addition to school, Janai actively contributes as a board member of the Nevada Nurses Foundation (NNF) and the Nevada Nursing Student Association (NVNSA), as well as President of the Nevada State University's Student Nurses 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Doctorate Program Emily lives in Incline Village, Nevada, and is currently employed by Tahoe Forest Health System, where she works as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

She is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Nevada, Orvis School of Nursing, with an anticipated graduation date of summer, 2025. Her academic and clinical interests center on innovative treatments for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, particularly the use of glutamate-based therapies such as esketamine (Spravato).

With her education, Emily hopes to contribute to advancing evidence-based psychiatric care in rural and underserved communities, expanding access to cutting-edge treatments that 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Pre-Licensure BSN Chelsea is a first generation college student attending Nevada State University's nursing program part-time as well as working part-time.

Her plans for a nursing degree include being involved in nursing leadership and being an advocate for nurses. For over three years she has been actively involved with Nevada State's Student Nursing Association (SNA), serving on the board in various leadership roles, including Treasurer and Events Coordinator.

Chelsea also has volunteered for numerous events, such as blood drives and several initiatives at Opportunity Village, including food drives to support families in need, as well as community engagement events like HallOVeen and the Magical Forest, which bring joy to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Masters Program Jessica was born and raised in Ely, Nevada.

She dedicated over 25 years to the hospital setting in Elko, where she gained extensive nursing experience in both the emergency and surgical services departments. Eventually, she returned to her hometown to join Great Basin College as Nursing Faculty. Passionate about lifelong learning and professional growth, Jessica recently completed her final course at Western Governors University and is set to graduate in May 2025.

Through her role at Great Basin College, she is committed to giving back to her community, mentoring future nurses, and making a lasting impact in healthcare education. 2025 Rural & Frontier Scholarship Recipient Dulce lived and worked in Yerington as a CNA for 15 years. Those years working with senior citizens have been her inspiration and motivation to work towards her dream of becoming a nurse.

She started attending Carrington College in July, 2023, in the RN program and will graduate in June, 2025. She is currently working as an Apprentice Nurse in South Lyon Medical Center in Yerington. After graduation she plans to advance her career in Geriatric Nursing, focusing on dementia care, and obtaining further education in mental health which she believes is much needed.

Dulce's passion is to care for others and serve her community. She lives in Yerington with her husband and her 15-year-old cat. She has 3 loving children and 3 wonderful grandchildren.

In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, gardening and sewing. 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Pre-Licensure ADN Alyxandia ("Alyx"), a native of Reno, Nevada, is currently pursuing her nursing education at Carrington College, with plans to further her studies towards an RN-BSN, MSN, and Doctorate.

She has a deep belief that nurses are the heart of healthcare and hopes to inspire both current and future nurses to achieve their educational aspirations. Since 2014, Alyx has been actively involved with the Nevada Nurses Foundation, contributing to its mission and attending all fundraising events.

Outside of school, work, and volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs and two cats, exploring Lake Tahoe, hot air ballooning, and being surrounded by 2025 Nevada Nurses Association District 1 Scholarship Loni was born and raised in Southern Nevada but now calls Reno home.

She is currently working at Renown Health as a Student Coordinator which also supports the Academic Practice Partnership with the Orvis School of Nursing. She is pursing her Doctoral degree in Clinical Education Leadership at the University of Reno, Orvis School of Nursing, with an anticipated graduation date of fall, 2026.

With this degree she hopes to continue to make an impact on the community through nursing education and working with students. Loni is also an active volunteer with the Reno Rodeo Association.

When she is not working or volunteering, she enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time with her 2025 Fall Scholarship Recipients 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Pre-Licensure BSN Tyronda is a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, a dedicated mom of three, and a current nursing student at the Arizona College of Nursing.

She is making an incredible impact in and out of the classroom, serving as the Community Outreach Director and Breakthrough to Nursing Director for the Nevada Nursing Students Association, where she leads projects that uplift the community and inspire future nurses. On campus, she also serves as Corresponding Secretary and an active SNA member, always championing service, mentorship, and connection.

Tyronda’s journey reflects compassion, leadership, and resilience — from serving her country to serving her community, she continues to lead with heart. 2025 Dalton Walker Legacy Scholarship Recipient Lyle began his healthcare journey in Oregon in 2016 as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Responder, a role that inspired him to further his education and become an EMT in 2018.

Raised in Colorado, Lyle relocated to Nevada during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the state with deep family roots from prior generations. His passion for patient care led him to pursue nursing, earning his Associate Degree in Nursing from Las Vegas College and his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

He is currently completing his Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree at Touro University Nevada, graduating in November, 2025. Lyle's professional experience spans emergency and trauma services, outpatient infusion, hospice, primary care, and urgent care. He is a strong advocate for the nursing profession and is especially passionate about healthcare access in rural communities.

He is a volunteer with the Clark County Nevada ARES emergency communications group and serves on the Board of Directors for the Nevada Nurses Association. 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Doctorate Program Janelle lives in Henderson, Nevada, and is currently employed by Nevada State University, where she serves as the Post-Licensure Director and Senior Lecturer for the School of Nursing.

She is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Nevada, Reno, with an anticipated graduation date of Spring, 2026. She has a passion for student mentoring and facilitating student success. Her academic interests center on helping final semester nursing students navigate ethical dilemmas that can lead to moral distress to support a smoother transition to practice and reduce early-career burnout.

With her education and experience, Janelle hopes to strengthen the future nursing workforce through evidence-based teaching, compassionate leadership, and student-centered innovation. 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, RN to BSN Program Arik was born and raised in Elko. He moved to Salt Lake City and then Portland, Oregon, after high school graduation.

Many years later, he moved home to Elko to pursue a lifelong dream of a career in nursing. He earned his CNA working in Long Term Care prior to accepting a Human Resources Manager position, eventually becoming a Nurse Apprentice at Highland Manor of Elko and a Nurse Extern at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital (NNRH) while working on his ADN.

He graduated from Great Basin College in May, 2025, and accepted a full-time RN position at the NNRH Emergency Department. He is continuing to pursue his BSN at Great Basin College. Upon graduation, Arik intends to pursue CEN certification and become a Nurse Practioner in emergency and family medicine.

He is proud to be a member of the National Student Nurses Assocation, the Nevada Nurses Association, and the Emergency Nurses Assocation, and grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that raised him. 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, LPN to RN Program Lela is a Navy veteran and ADN student at Galen College of Nursing's Las Vegas campus, graduating in March, 2026.

Inspired by her late father, a firefighter whose compassion and resilience shaped her outlook, she entered nursing to continue his legacy of service and care. Before nursing school, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology.

Lela's proudest achievement is becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree, and after completing her ADN, she plans to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and continue growing her career within the HCA Healthcare network. Throughout nursing school, she has embraced every challenge with resilience and perseverance.

She considers her ICU clinical rotations to be her most rewarding experience, deepening her interest in both critical care and mental health nursing. She values the opportunity to provide patients with compassion, comfort, and hope; believing that emotional care is just as vital as physical healing.

Outside of nursing, Lela enjoys exploring true crime cases; she’s even working on an unsolved case from 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Masters Program Holly began her healthcare career in 2011 as a Certified Nursing Assistant, quickly realizing she wanted to expand her knowledge and scope to provide a higher level of care for patients and families.

In 2015, she began Great Basin College's nursing program, graduating in 2017 and beginning as an RN in the Med/Surg/ICU at her hometown's critical-access hospital. She continued to earn her BSN in 2019.

She is a lifelong Nevadan and currently serves as a full-time nursing faculty member at Great Basin College where she found her passion for guiding students as they apply theory in practice while providing individualized support to ensure their success. She is currently in the University of Nevada, Reno's MSN Educator program and will graduate in summer, 2026.

Holly's capstone focuses on strengthening nursing education specifically in rural areas with limited resources to ensure competent patient care and improved outcomes. She plans to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Clinical Education Leadership and to remain a full-time faculty member at GBC while continuing per 2025 Optum Scholarship Recipient Estefany is a first-year ADN student at Galen College of Nursing.

Her journey into nursing has not been an easy one, but it has been driven by the love for her children. As a single mother, every step she takes is with the hope of building a better future, both for her family and for those who look to healthcare professionals for help, understanding, and compassion. She has worked at Optum for over five years, serving patients and seeing firsthand the difference that kindness and education can make.

She also volunteers at Saturday clinics and vaccine sites, helping administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines. These experiences remind her why she chose this path, because so many people need guidance, support, and someone who will advocate for them. After completing her ADN, Estefany plans to earn her BSN and keep growing in this profession she cares deeply about.

2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, CNA to LPN Program Zuri is a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pursuing her LPN certification. She chose nursing because caring for others brings her purpose and fulfillment. Each experience in healthcare has deepened her passion for helping people heal and feel seen.

Her goal is to continue growing as a nurse and do her best to give back to her Nevada community. Zuri is committed to excelling in her studies and contributing positively to the healthcare 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, LPN Program Pauline is currently attending the College of Southern Nevada, enrolled in a Practical Nursing Program that started in August, 2025, and ends in May, 2026.

After she graduates, she would like to pursue becoming a Registered Nurse. She chose to pursue nursing because she was inspired to help, comfort, and be there for people, helping to make a difference in someone's life. As she comes from a family of teachers and someday a family of nurses, this is a path she is pleased to follow.

Pauline's mom is one of her inspirations and supporters, and she wants to make her mom proud. Through this program and the opportunity she was given, she wants to explore, grow, and gain experience learning as a student nurse. Terajean Whiterock, CCMA, CPT, CNA 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, Pre-Licensure ADN Terajean is a member of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes and grew up on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Owyhee, NV.

She is the proud mother of two wonderful children (daughter son) who inspire her every day to grow and strive for more. Her journey in healthcare began as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) where she discovered a deep passion for patient care and advocacy.

She went on to earn a Clinical Medical Assistant certification as well as a Phlebotomy Technician certification, gaining valuable hands-on experience in multiple aspects of healthcare. Currently, Terajean is in her first year of the ADN-RN Nursing program at Great Basin College. She is particularly passionate about preventative medicine and patient advocacy, striving to educate and empower patients.

Through her future work and studies, Terajean is committed to improving healthcare access in her community. She carries this mission forward in honor of her late mother, Evangeline Whiterock, and all those who came before her – walking a path of service, strength and healing for herself, her family and her community.

2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, CNA to RN Allison is a Nevada native who decided at the age of 34 to change her career and become a nurse. For the last 15 years she has been working in veterinary medicine as a licensed veterinary nurse, and she worked in Las Vegas for over 10 years. She was also a maternity nurse for a goldendoodle breeder.

She did volunteer work for a spay and neuter clinic and with the local animal shelter. Allison is a mom to two beautiful girls and life, outside of school of course, revolves around them. She loves being involved in their education, dance, sports and church activities.

She cannot wait to become a nurse and make her girls proud, as well as let them know that they can do anything that they put their minds to, even if it's later in life. 2025 Philippine Nurses Association Scholarship Kristel Roelandz Velasquez Gabelich is a nursing student at Carrington College in Reno in the ADN program. She is expected to graduate in January, 2027.

She lives in Reno with her wonderful husband. Originally born and raised in the Philippines, she obtained her bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from Southville International School and Colleges in Manila. She moved to the United States for personal growth and new opportunities.

She gained valuable experience working for a family resource center called KidsFirst, where she helped connect individuals and families to community resources and mental health services. Kristel also worked as a caregiver for private families, experiences that deepened her compassion and inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.

Living in both the Philippines and the U.S., she has seen both worlds and feels deeply grateful for the life she has experienced. She aspires to continue serving humanity with compassion and respect. ” 2025 NNF Scholarship Recipient, RN to BSN Program Sarah is originally from Incline Village, NV, but now lives in Winnemucca.

She has been working in healthcare for 7 years, starting as a CNA in high school and eventually becoming a paramedic in 2021. She has been working for Humboldt General Hospital EMS Rescue as a paramedic for 5 years now. While working as a paramedic, she finished a degree in Community Health Sciences at UNR and completed her ADN at Great Basin College as part of their very first paramedic bridge program.

Sarah now works as an RN at Pershing General Hospital while continuing her work as a paramedic. She recently gained a new love for working in healthcare after helping her little