USA Student Receives Nurses Educational Funds Scholarship
Posted on October 25, 2024 by College of Nursing
Donna Tubb, a USA College of Nursing doctoral student, was recently named as the recipient of the Nurses Educational Funds Terry Fulmer Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Nurses Educational Funds is a nonprofit organization by nurses for nurses that promotes leadership and health equity through scholarship support for professional nurses seeking master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing.
Tubb, a nurse practitioner and assistant clinical professor in Texas, is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of South Alabama. When she was in search of a program that would allow her to maintain her career and help her achieve her goals, several of her colleagues spoke highly of South.
“I want to say that I am so proud to be a part of an institution that values and supports its students!” Tubb shared. “Every employee and especially each faculty member I have had has been positive, engaging and fully supportive of my success.”
The accessibility of the program and the support she has received virtually has always made her feel right at home.
“Maybe it’s a southern thing,” Tubb said with a smile.
Tubb is currently an assistant clinical professor at the Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing and also works with elderly patients with chronic conditions via telehealth. Living in a rural area of Texas, she has become familiar with the inequities and healthcare disparities in the older population.
“Many people in rural communities have limited access to local care, while specialty care is almost impossible,” Tubb said. “With over 60 million Americans living in rural areas, I want to continue to advocate for their healthcare rights and improve access to care for this population.”
Her passion for patient advocacy led to her interest in a doctoral program and opportunities for research. She hopes her nursing path will be an encouragement to her students.
Due to financial challenges, Tubb had considered sitting out of the doctoral program for a semester. The Nurses Educational Funds scholarship prevented her from having to take time away and gave her the confidence she needed to step into her last semester.
“This scholarship didn’t just help me, it’s going to help my community,” Tubb said.