Washington State Nurses Foundation awards 14 scholarships
In 2023, the Washington State Nurses Foundation awarded 14 scholarships worth $45,000 to some incredible students who want to make a difference with their nursing degrees.
October 24, 2023 • 7 minutes, 13 seconds to read
This story was published in the Fall 2023 issue of The Washington Nurse.
In 2023, the Washington State Nurses Foundation awarded 14 scholarships worth $45,000 to some incredible students who want to make a difference with their nursing degrees. Thank you to all the donors whose generous contributions made it possible to give so many scholarship awards.
Jesse Brinson-Wagner
Jesse is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) candidate at Spokane Community College and hopes to earn his degree in the spring of 2024. After graduating from nursing school, he would like to gain experience in the ER to develop skills in critical care, psychiatric care, substance use disorder treatment, and health education. In addition to WSNF scholarship funds, Jesse received support from the Doug Brant Scholarship Fund and was named a Vee Sutherlin scholar.
Aubrey Butler
Aubrey works full time at St. Joseph Medical Center–Tacoma and is currently enrolled in the RN–BSN program through Chamberlain University. She hopes to graduate in February 2024. The loss of her father from cardiogenic shock after open heart surgery inspired her to become a nurse. In addition to WSNF scholarship funds, Aubrey is supported by the Doug Brant Scholarship Fund.
Zoë Evans-Agnew
Zoë is working on her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) at Seattle University, with an anticipated graduation date of June 2025. She comes from a long line of nurses, including her great-grandmother, grandmother, and father.
Jamie Felchlin
Jamie is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the Washington State University College of Nursing, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2024. She wants to be a support and resource for families and patients when they are at their lowest points. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Jamie received support from the Doug Brant Scholarship Fund.
Stephanie Guizar
Stephanie is an ADN candidate in the Yakima Valley College Nursing Program, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2023. She is a first-generation college student who has worked as a nursing assistant for eight years before pursuing additional education. Her scholarship was provided by the Central Washington Region Nurses Association and administered by WSNF.
Claire Isert
Claire is currently enrolled in the BSN program at Gonzaga University. She was inspired to become a nurse by her grandmother, who served as a nurse in the Navy as well as in hospitals and schools. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Claire received support from the Doug Brant Scholarship Fund.
Jieun Jugao
Jieun is pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Seattle University and plans to graduate in June 2025. She decided to become an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner because she perceives a lack of care and services and would like to advocate for this vulnerable population. In addition to receiving a WSNF scholarship, Jieun was named the Judy Huntington scholar.
Samantha Lengerich
Samantha is enrolled in the BSN program at the Gonzaga University School of Nursing. Her decision to pursue a career in nursing was based on personal experience with a nurse who had a positive impact on her life during a difficult time. She hopes to obtain a DNP and work as a pediatric nurse practitioner. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Samantha received support from the Doug Brant Scholarship Fund.
Kimberley Melton
Kimberly is in the LPN-BSN program at St. Martin’s University and hopes to eventually complete a DNP in Pediatric Nursing. She has known she wanted to be a nurse since an accident sent her to the hospital for stitches when she was 5-years old. She wants to heal and help others feel better like a nurse
did for her.
Nkechi Ohaekelem
Nkechi is in the nursing program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, working toward her ADN after more than 11 years as a nursing assistant. Her long-term goal is to earn a master’s or doctorate in nursing. Nkechi was inspired to pursue the nursing profession when she saw the exemplary care her mom received from nurses after she was diagnosed with lymphoma. She was named a Vee Sutherlin scholar.
Ashleigh Panchot
Ashleigh is working toward her BSN at the Gonzaga University School of Nursing. She plans to specialize in pediatric or pediatric oncology nursing, ultimately working in a children’s hospital. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Ashleigh received support from the Doug Brant Scholarship Fund and was named a Vee Sutherlin/Deo Little scholar.
Haven Rainer
Haven is in the BSN program at the Washington State University College of Nursing. She hopes to work with mothers and babies, ultimately in a smaller rural hospital, where she can help address disparate access to maternal care. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Haven received support from the Doug Brant Scholarship Fund.
Nara Rex
Nara is in the ADN program at Seattle Central College and hopes to move into a BSN program after she completes her degree. She is pursuing a career in nursing because she wants to provide understanding and comfort to someone in a tough situation.
Courtney Sterling
Courtney is studying for her ADN at Seattle Central College after working as a tech in an emergency department for almost five years. She was inspired to become a nurse in her childhood and teen years, acting as “nurse” to her grandfather, who was in and out of the hospital. Her goal is to work in an emergency department — this time, as an RN.