The NBNA partners with universities that help students to attain a nursing degree or an advanced nursing degree while they continue to work. For example, we partnered with Capella University, which offers online degree programs. As part of our alliance, NBNA members and their immediate family members were eligible for reduced tuition at Capella. We encourage our members to increase their education at all levels — for LPNs to achieve their RN license, for nurses who have their BSN to consider pursuing an MSN and even going on to achieve a DNP. We’re proud to see statistics such as those from the American Associated College of Nursing that report the percentage of black nurses earning master’s or doctorate degrees has increased over the past 10 years.

It’s encouraging to see many nurses under 40 who already have their post-master's NP certification and are studying for their DNP. They just continue taking classes while they work, and their employers are picking up a portion of their tuition. We are also proud of our collaborative mentoring program that helps nurses at all stages of their careers. We offer three types of mentorship: new nurses/student nurses, nurses transitioning into new nursing roles, and nurses advancing into leadership positions. We encourage education while also pairing nurses with a mentor who can offer them insight on their career path, and support. In Alabama, our NBNA chapter has partnered with the Alabama Health Action Coalition whose goal is to transform healthcare through nursing in our state and increase the number and proportion of BSN graduates.

Yes, the NBNA offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 on both a local and national level.