Recipient of a NEF scholarship, is pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Texas at Austin, and intends to secure a nursing education faculty position, conduct research to improve patient outcomes. Her nursing experience has focused on helping patients cope with their diseases while maintaining dignity and experiencing optimal quality of life. This experience combined with a drive to positively impact patients on a larger scale motivated Ashley to enter graduate studies in 2012. Her bachelor’s in nursing from Pennsylvania State University in addition to her recent master’s in nursing from the UT Austin has laid the foundation for her career goals and helped prepare her for the full scope of nursing practice, research, and education. Her research focus is understanding and improving cancer survivors’ cognitive function. The American Cancer Society has funded her doctoral dissertation study. Throughout her studies she has been working as a teaching assistant in nursing and is now a graduate research assistant. She is currently a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse, President of the Central Texas Oncology Nursing Society and a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the Southern Research Nursing Society.
NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is the largest, single, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing.
NEF’s Board of Directors is comprised of leaders from nursing, education, technology, and business communities. Members donate their time and talent to the advancement of the nursing profession. NEF operates with exceptionally low overhead. NEF employs only one individual who serves in several capacities. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status; thus, your contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. Scholarship for Leadership 