The College of New Rochelle School of Nursing Receives
$25,465 Promise of Nursing for New York School Grant Administered by the Foundation of the National Students Nurses’ Association
Funding To Help Improve Student Retention and Nursing Exam Pass-Rates

New Rochelle, NY, September 8, 2005 -- The College of New Rochelle (CNR) School of Nursing announced today that it will receive $25,465 from The Promise of Nursing for New York School Grant Program administered by the Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA). During the FNSNA grant period -- 2005-2006 academic year -- the funds will be used to help improve both student retention and nursing exam pass rates by enhancing and strengthening student learning through the purchase and use of advanced multimedia learning tools.

The Promise of Nursing for New York School Grant marks another recent achievement for The College of New Rochelle.  In July, CNR received a $125,000 grant from the Aetna Foundation to help support educational programming in the Wellness Center associated with addressing obesity.

Dr. Donna Demarest, Dean of CNR’s School of Nursing, stated: “We deeply appreciate the support shown to our program.  Enhancing the academic success rate of our students is a valuable investment in meeting the growing demand for qualified nurses, especially those from under represented groups.”

In its grant proposal, CNR’s School of Nursing noted the critical need to enhance the academic success rate of its predominantly under represented student population (culturally/ethnically diverse including 61% African American; 19% Caucasian; 10% Hispanic; 10% Asian/Pacific; less than 1% Alaskan/North American). 

The grant will help improve the retention rate of CNR’s nursing students and increase pass rates on National Council of State Boards of Nursing exams, by providing the College’s students with greater access to updated multi-media learning materials including interactive videos, audiotapes and written materials.

Dean Demarest explained that multi-media learning materials have proven to promote cognitive learning, retention of knowledge and performance. Thanks to the College’s multi-million dollar investment in the wireless platform, nursing students will also have increased -- and remote -- access to their curricula.

The FNSNA was established in 1969 exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to benefit undergraduate nursing students.  Funding for the Promise of Nursing for New York School Grant program was contributed by Johnson & Johnson, several hospitals and health care agencies in the New York metropolitan area, as well as other national companies with an interest in supporting nursing education. The funds were raised at a gala fundraising event sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and is administered by the FNSNA.

Established in 1976, the School of Nursing at CNR is widely recognized for innovation and excellence in programming that is responsive to the public’s changing health needs. The School offers six programs: a traditional four-year undergraduate program leading to a bachelor of science in nursing; a traditional and an accelerated program of study for RNs seeking a B.S.N.; an accelerated B.S.N. program for those holding degrees in other fields; an accelerated RN to M.S. program; and an M.S. degree program with tracks in holistic nursing, acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, health care management, and in the Nurse Educator role.  Post master’s programs are available in all acute care tracks, HIV/AIDS, and in Palliative Care.  CNR graduates are prepared to assume beginning leadership roles and facilitate change to improve the quality of client care in the health care system for diverse and multicultural populations.

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The first Catholic college for women in New York State, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order. Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences, and three schools which admit women and men: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School.  The main campus of the College is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City.  The College maintains six other campus locations in New York City. Visit the College’s website at www.cnr.edu