Supporting nurses who make a difference

Vanessa Black, FNP MSN student from Holbrook, PA

"I grew up in the middle of the most rural parts of Greene County, Pa. and throughout my entire life I watched people struggle to get access to quality health care. There are many challenges to providing health care in a rural community-lack of collaboration, equipment, resources and funding-but I am up for this challenge and understand it may require some extra time and effort to provide quality care.

I have formed a bond with many of the patients with chronic illnesses who come into our hospital, which showed me that the problem usually starts with a lack of time spent educating patients within the primary care providers' office. A lot of the older population in my area did not finish high school so they do not have the education to take care of their chronic conditions properly. As an advanced practice nurse, I will take the time to educate these patients thoroughly about their illnesses and how to take care of their chronic conditions to avoid future problems requiring a higher level of care that they may not have access to.

I believe that all patients should have access to quality health care even on the most basic level. Receiving the CVS Foundation Caring Hearts Scholarship will provide me with the opportunity to become a family nurse practitioner and serve those who reside in my rural community. My long-term goal is to change health care standards for rural communities nationwide."

Rainy Greensfelder, FNP MSN student from Nevada City, CA

"I grew up in a rural community and served as a volunteer fire captain and emergency medical technician (EMT) for over six years in that community. As an EMT, I had a close view of people in medical emergencies, often because of uncontrolled chronic illnesses that I felt could be better managed if the clients had access to a reliable and committed primary health care provider.

I began my education as a registered nurse with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner serving a rural community in a federally qualified health care (FQHC) clinic setting. After becoming a licensed registered nurse, I worked as a manager of a FQHC and again was impressed by the difference committed health care practitioners can make in the health outcomes for individuals in an underserved community. It remains my goal to work as a primary care provider in underserved populations.

Receiving the CVS Foundation Caring Hearts Scholarship is an affirmation that there is value in working in underserved communities. Although I feel this deeply in my heart, there is little external validation for the work that I and others do in such unseen corners of the world."