VCU Medical Center nurse receives statewide nursing scholarship

Lindsay McClaire
University News Services

Angela Starnes, a licensed practical nurse in the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center’s mother-infant unit is the first recipient of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association and the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education’s Virginia nursing scholarship.

The scholarship was created to help students who need financial assistance to complete their degrees.

Starnes, who also is a nursing student at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, will receive $5,000 for the next two years to complete her degree in nursing and become a registered nurse. She will be able to use the two-year scholarship for tuition, fees, books and supplies.

Kim Gee, nurse manager for the mother-infant unit, and Starnes’ supervisor, praised the VHHA and VFCCE for their candidate choice.
 
“When the committee received Angela’s application they had no other choice but to choose her,” said Gee. “Angela has been very committed to finishing her R.N. program at J. Sargeant Reynolds. She’s a very dedicated nurse who always puts patients first.”

“This scholarship is an excellent investment in the health care community,” said Gee.

Starnes’ goal is to pursue a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in nursing and to become a nurse anesthetist. She has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and has received VCU’s L.P.N. Excellence in Practice award for three years.