Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills
200 Mt. Airy Road
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2008

It’s a Great Time to Become a Nurse
The Visting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills Offers Nursing Scholarships

BASKING RIDGE, NJ – By the year 2020 New Jersey will experience a shortage of 24,100 Registered Nurses. The Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, a leading home healthcare agency in New Jersey knows that as people are living longer and needing more aid, the health care field is a vital career choice. The Board of Trustees of the VNA is accepting applications for its 2008 Nursing Scholarship. High school seniors, from Somerset and/or Morris County, who are planning to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing, are invited to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Up to two qualified candidates will be selected.

“The VNA is pleased to help support young men and women looking to pursue an exciting career in nursing that offers many rewards and benefits communities,” said Evelyn K. Savage, VNA President and CEO.

The Gardener-Manetas Fund, which finances the scholarship program, was established in 1958 and is named after two former VNA Executive Directors, Mary M. Gardener and Helen Manetas. Originally created as a tuition reimbursement fund for VNA staff nurses pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing or public health, the fund was expanded several years ago to include all VNA staff. The nursing scholarship was created in 1991, and is funded with proceeds from the bi-annual Rummage Sale.

Scholarship applications are available from the Visiting Nurse Association at (908)-766-0180, ext. 113 or at wwww.visitingnurse.org. All applications must be submitted no later than April 15, 2008. The Personnel Committee of the VNA Board of Trustees will review all applications and select the scholarship winner(s).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The mission of the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills and its subsidiaries is to provide individuals and families with comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective home and community health care services, regardless of ability to pay, using partnerships where appropriate. It is a charitable, tax-exempt home health agency and hospice certified by Medicare, accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), and licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. The VNA of Somerset Hills Home Health Services is nationally ranked in the top 7% for patient satisfaction as measured by Press Ganey, a national benchmark service. Among the services provided by the VNA are at-home nursing, Telehealth, Hospice, Respite Care, Friendly Visitor Program, FARE (a caregiver education program), Palliative Care and Adult Day Center. The organization serves both Somerset and Morris Counties.

PRESS CONTACT: Nicole Fears (908) 322-1100, nfears@evergreenpr.com

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