Parkside Nurses Earn FHCA Scholarships
Three caregivers with Parkside Health and Rehabilitation Center in DeLand are the newest recipients of the Florida Health Care Association’s Bruce Taylor Scholarship. Each recipient earned a $1,000 scholarship award to advance their nursing career.
Jessica Rathburn has been a Wound Care Nurse at Parkside Health and Rehab Center for over 9 years. She started out as a Certified Nursing Assistant over 17 years ago. Jessica’s goal is to become a registered nurse, with hopes of one day receiving a Masters in Nursing. “I want to be a nurse who is professional and able to prescribe treatment, reduce pain, save lives and much more…because I love making the world different and friendly to anyone.”
Parkside administrator Heather Jackson is proud of Jessica’s decision to further her education and become an RN. “We can’t wait to see what the future will bring,” said Jackson.
Veronica Brockett is a Certified Nursing Assistant who has been with Parkside just under three years. With her Bruce Taylor Scholarship she plans to work toward becoming an LPN. Veronica understands the challenges that nursing brings and looks forward to going above and beyond for her patients.
“It feels wonderful to see a resident progress,” said Veronica. “Being a nursing assistant is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to continue my career as a nurse.”
“I’ve seen Veronica grow in her position and as a person,” said Heather. “She has a great rapport with all our residents, and I am confident she is going to make an excellent nurse in the future.”
Rebecca Giangrasso is a Licensed Practical Nurse at Parkside. Her goal to become a nurse emerged at the age of 12 after learning of her father’s diagnosis with cancer. Rebecca spent each day caring for her father, who told her she had the right heart for the job. Today Rebecca is the inspiration to her three boys, who are thrilled about her decision to become a Registered Nurse. The four of them can often be seen at the table together doing their homework.
“I love helping others and seeing them get better,” said Rebecca. “[I love] learning every day something more about nursing and how I can make a difference in someone’s life. To become an RN is a lifelong dream.”
“Rebecca already has great clinical and critical thinking skills,” said Heather. “I was ecstatic to learn she had decided to back to school for her RN degree. She is a kind natured person who always goes above and beyond for everyone around her, in both her personal and work life.”
FHCA’s Bruce Taylor Scholarship is funded through the Association’s 501c3 Education and Development Foundation. The program assists the best and brightest among FHCA member nursing staff to achieve a higher level of education in a field related to long term care nursing.
Bruce Taylor Scholarships are awarded three times per year and promote advancement in non-nursing long term care careers for selected member nursing home and assisted living facility employees.
The next deadline to apply for the Bruce Taylor Scholarship is April 30, 2019. Click here to learn more about educational scholarship opportunities.