Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) has donated $100,000 to the Rutgers School of Nursing Student Emergency Fund. The fund offers financial support to undergraduate and graduate nursing students who face unexpected hardships that could interrupt their education.
Established in 2011 with an initial donation from the New Jersey Association for Continuity of Care, the emergency fund has expanded over time to address a variety of student needs. These include help with purchasing textbooks, covering temporary housing after emergencies such as house fires, managing medical bills, transportation to clinical placements, and expenses related to licensing exams.
Angela Starkweather, dean and professor at Rutgers School of Nursing, commented on BD’s contribution: “This generous gift from BD reflects a deep commitment to nursing education and to the students who will care for our communities. Emergency financial challenges can arise suddenly and through no fault of a student’s own. BD’s support helps ensure that temporary setbacks do not become permanent barriers to completing a nursing degree.”
Starkweather also highlighted the broader context for this type of support: “New Jersey, like many states, is facing a significant nursing shortage, and that challenge extends far beyond our borders. Support for nursing education must span the full continuum – from students preparing to enter the profession to registered nurses pursuing advanced practice roles – so we can meet the evolving health care needs of our communities.”
The Student Emergency Fund continues to provide eligible students with critical financial assistance during times of need.
For more information or to make a donation, visit the school’s “Giving” webpage.
