Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. Scholarship
Scholarship
For Proven Excellence in Nursing Service and Scholarship, With Thanks to NEF Scholars for Paying It Forward
The Nurses' Scholarship and Fellowship Fund was established in 1952 and merged with the Isabel Hampton Robb and McIsaac Memorial Funds to incorporate as a non-profit organization in 1954, forming Nurses' Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF). Over time, the name of the scholarship changed to the Nurses Educational Funds Scholarship, but it’s purpose remained the same: awards for advanced degrees in nursing for proven excellence in nursing service and scholarship.
This scholarship is endowed by NEF’s general fund and supported by NEF Scholars paying it forward for the next generation of nursing leadership.
Featured Nurses Educational Funds Scholarship Recipients
These recent scholarship recipients pursued graduate education to improve health equity, serve underserved populations, and make a broader impact beyond individual patient care:
Madeline McQuay
2026-2027 Winner | Master’s Degree
- Worked as a Progressive Care Unit nurse for eight years, through the COVID-19 pandemic, which deepened her commitment and passion for providing equitable, evidence-based care to at-risk populations
- Was awarded a fellowship through the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health to the Tuberculosis Program in the Communicable Disease Branch of the North Carolina Division of Public Health
- Served on the North Carolina Division of Health and Human Services Department of Public Health Measles Outbreak Team, and has been involved with the International Rescue Committee, Habitat for Humanity, and providing pro bono clinic work
Jennifer Bottoms-Robb, BSN, RNC-NIC
2025-2026 Winner | Master’s Degree
- Worked for 20 years as a Neonatal ICU nurse, with much of that time at Northwell Health’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center, caring for the neonate population, and educating and supporting their parents from admission to discharge
- Plans to use her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree to help individuals in the Black community who grapple with issues such as intergenerational trauma, distrust of healthcare professionals, lack of resources, and stigma by creating safe spaces, and particularly focusing on youth mental health and the unique challenges that arise for parents due to an extended hospital stay with a critically ill child
Tiffany Covarrubias-Lyttle
2024-2025 Winner | Master’s Degree
- Embarked on her nursing journey after previously working as a social worker, which allowed her to recognize the holistic needs of communities and the profound impact of social determinants of health
- Is a mother of seven children, many adopted from foster care, who were the catalyst for her return to school to be both their mother and health advocate
- Served as the Board Secretary for the Virginia Nurses Association (VNA) and Government Relations Chair of its local chapter, and Chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and Bylaws Chair of its local chapter
- Presented on nurse well-being at prestigious events such as the 2023 Magnet Conference and the 2024 American Nurses Foundation Nurses Week Webinar
Jennifer Eccles, PhD, RN, FAADN, FAAN
2017-2018 Winner | Doctoral Degree
- Became a Certified Emergency Nurse from the Canadian Emergency Nurses Association
- Held clinical nursing administrative positions as Clinical Coordinator in transitional care, Assistant Director of Nursing in long-term care, Nurse Manager of emergency services, and Clinical Director of med/surg
- Served as the Director of Nursing at Century College
- Is currently Executive Director of the Center for Nursing Equity and Excellence and Adjunct Faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing