Happy National Nursing Students Day!

Published: Sun, 05/08/22

May 8, 2022

Celebrating Nursing Students Day

With access to healthcare becoming even more limited in rural Wisconsin, especially during the pandemic, we celebrate today's nursing students who plan to return to their rural Wisconsin roots and maintain the well-being of our rural Wisconsin neighbors. In their survey of 130 rural hospital leaders nationwide between September 21, 2021 through October 15, 2021, the Chartis Group, a national healthcare advisory firm, revealed that 96% of the respondents indicated they are having difficulty filling nursing positions; 30% noted that issues related to nursing staffing have resulted in a suspension of health services with 22% indicating that they are considering suspending services. Almost every respondent, at 98.5%, has experienced staffing shortages at their clinics. By providing scholarships to nursing students statewide, the WROF, Inc. hopes to address nursing staffing shortages and the ongoing challenges of recruiting and retaining nurses.

We recently caught up with some of this year’s WROF scholarship recipients who are pursuing degrees at UW-Madison's School of Nursing.

“I believe it is critical to understand that rural communities often have higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and adverse health outcomes,” says Cheyenne Koeppel. “I think not enough people realize that the rural nature of small towns can make it more difficult to find work opportunities or meet healthcare needs, when resources and transportation may be limited.” When she graduates, Cheyenne hopes to raise awareness of these disparities and to work in rural

health to help actively address these issues. Being able to rely on community members for help is what draws Cheyenne to her rural Wisconsin roots. “I want to be able to give back to the people and community who helped me succeed during the early years of my life,” says Cheyenne.

Blaire Lindner’s close-knit community at home in central Wisconsin also draws her back when she graduates. “There is truly nothing better than having an entire community know who you are and support you through every challenge and success life brings you,” says Blaire. One thing that she thinks some people in bigger cities might take for granted is the accessibility to things. Blaire says that there is a lack of access to many things living in a rural community. She is grateful for the WROF scholarship to help her focus on her studies in pursuing her degree.

Keeping up with the rigors of the highly competitive nursing program, Reggie Curtis is grateful for the relationships he has developed with his peers. “Through this experience, I have learned how important it is to have support not only at home but within the program that one chooses to pursue,” says Reggie. He looks forward to when he graduates and can bring his educational experiences and expertise to provide the best possible care to his community.

Appreciative of the scholarship from the WROF, Inc., Reggie compares it with the way neighbors in a rural community help each other. "The WROF scholarship feels like an outstretched hand that has provided me with the incredible opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career."

Thank you to all nursing students who are pursuing a career that touches so many lives in so many meaningful ways and where the rewards also come with challenges.

A Fascinating Life Story

Learn more about Dr. Robert E. Walton's life by reading his autobiography, View from the Bull's Eye (available on amazon.com). The book begins with his childhood growing up in a sod house in Oklahoma during the Depression and follows his incredible career to becoming the world's most respected geneticist who revolutionized the dairy industry.

A former member of the WROF, Inc.'s Board of Directors, Dr. Robert E. Walton recently was recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award from Iowa State University.

Stay on top of the latest! Follow us on social media and online: www.wrof.org.

Help more students like Cheyenne, Blaire , and Reggie achieve their academic goals and bring their knowledge and expertise to rural Wisconsin by making a gift to the WROF, Inc. today.

Thank you!

Give today!

Clarification to the last email newsletter delivered on 4/18/2022: The WROF, Inc. has been providing significant support (between $15,000 - $17,000 annually) to the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) for decades. In the past, the WTCS conducted the application process with the 16 individual schools and presented the awards. The WROF, Inc. is exploring providing support directly to each school in the upcoming year.