Forward Momentum

HRET scholarship fuels BSN student's degree pursuit

Lisa Modirian's genuine desire to help others and advance her education is already reaping her dividends.

The Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey (HRET), an educational affiliate of the New Jersey Hospital Association, recently awarded Modirian a $2,000 healthcare career scholarship. To date, the organization has awarded $160,000 to applicants who are enrolled in accredited undergraduate or graduate health career programs, maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and demonstrate financial need.

Modirian – who learned of the scholarship opportunity through nurse educator and W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing student, Rita Truex – said she will use the scholarship money toward tuition and textbooks for her online nursing courses.

"One of my managers urged me to continue my education so that I would be positioned to pursue opportunities ahead for nurses with advanced degrees," she said. "It seems like yesterday that a colleague recommended that I consider Thomas Edison State College, and here I am already starting my seventh class!"

Modirian, who has been enrolled in the School's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program since 2010, said her anticipated degree has already landed her a new position as a registered nurse supervisor at Fellowship Village Homecare in Liberty Corner, N.J., and will ensure that she continually qualifies as a nurses' aid trainer.

"I am very excited to begin the new job with the courses I've already taken under my belt," said Modirian.

The scholarship funding comes at an important time for Modirian who is financing the education of her 18- and 21-year-old sons as a single parent.

"My husband fell ill with cancer 15 years ago, and I decided to return to school at age 40 to become an RN as he could no longer work," noted Modirian. "Obtaining my BSN degree means so much to me, as did obtaining this scholarship through NJHA. I've been doing rewarding work in hospice care for the previous six years helping patients and families the same way we received needed support for my husband. More importantly, we are teaching our children, relatives and colleagues that we can always reinvent ourselves when life throws us a curve ball!"



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