Rutgers School of Nursing Magazine - Summer 2024

B Y M E R R Y S U E B A U M A PIPELINE TO THE FUTURE T There is a shortage of nurses across the country, and New Jersey is no exception. The demand is high throughout the Garden State, but it is especially acute in Essex County. An aging workforce, COVID burnout, and a lack of support for nursing education are among the reasons for this shortage. Concerned about the future of nursing in urban areas, Evelyn Marguiles, a graduate of Weequahic High School in Newark, recently gave Rutgers School of Nursing a $2 million gift to establish an endowment. The funds will be used for full-tuition scholarships for undergraduate nursing students each year. Future nurses from Newark high schools, especially Weequahic, have first consideration for the scholarships. Marguiles first thought about giving the gift when her husband became ill and needed in-home nursing care. Many of the nurses who came into the couple’s home were from far-away places like Uganda. They told moving stories of coming to the U.S. and joining the health care field. Marguiles knew that about a quarter of the Newark population lives in poverty and can’t afford to go on to college, even though many are bright enough. She decided to help change that. A C A D E M I C E X C E L L E N C E R U T G E R S N U R S I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 2 0 / 2 1 $2 MI L L I ON ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS NURS I NG SCHOLARSH I PS