Decorative dot pattern background image.
Decorative blue shape background image. Decorative blue shape background image. Decorative blue shape background image. Decorative blue shape background image.

2025 Next Step Scholarships

Empowering Methodist nurses to lead the future of care

Did you know these in-demand degrees are essential for the future of health care at Methodist?

 Doctor of Nursing: 

  • Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Master of Science: 

  • Nurse Educator
  • Nurse Executive
  • Care Coordinator
Nursing Scholarships

Methodist Hospital Foundation is proud to invest in the future of nursing by supporting your Next Step in education.

13 Scholarships Awarded - ranging from $5,000 to $9,000

Complete one application to be considered for all three scholarships:

  1. Ruth Freed Leadership Scholarship – 1 award of $9,000 – focusing on nurse leadership
  2. Carolyn Scott Spirit of Excellence Scholarships – 8 awards of $8,000 – focusing on compassionate care
  3. Foundation Graduate Scholarships – 4 awards of $5,000 – focusing on compassionate care

Recipients will be selected and notified in May 2025.

Who is Eligible?

  • Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women’s Hospital, Methodist Physicians Clinic, Methodist Jennie Edmundson, and Methodist Fremont Health registered nurses seeking a Masters or Doctorate (DNP, PhD or EDD) degree
  • Scheduled to work 20 hours per week for the past two years
  • Employment status in good standing 
  • Demonstrates compassionate bedside care, academic excellence, leadership qualities and a role model among nurses
  • Current NMC Nursing Academy students are not eligible to apply – you must be a graduate 

Online Application: https://methodisthospitalfoundation.org/scholarship-application

DEADLINE: Monday, April 21, 2025

Application includes:

  • Outline of educational plan describing how degree will impact patient care
  • Essays describing:
    • Personal story, goals, ambitions and accomplishments
    • Leadership
    • Participation in research programs or projects
    • Community service 
    • Education plan
    • Compassionate care
  • Letters of recommendation from a supervisor, co-worker and former patient

Additional Information

  • Scholarship recipients will serve as a mentor to a Scott Scholar – an undergraduate nursing student at Nebraska Methodist College 
  • Scholarship recipients must show by September 2025 that they are enrolled in a graduate program OR forfeit the scholarship
  • Funds must be used starting during the 2025-2026 academic year and spent in two years
  • Recipients must continue to work at least 20 hours per week while they receive the scholarship

Questions? 

Please contact RyAnne Elsesser: 402-354-5430