The 2006-07 state budget passed last week by the legislature will provide $3.8 million for the Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship and Forgiveness Program. This is a $1.8 million increase to the executive budget proposal.

The program was named in memory of the late Senator Patricia McGee of Franklinville who died suddenly in April of 2005. During her tenure, Senator McGee recognized the need for more nursing educators and faculty to alleviate the nursing shortage in the Southern Tier and New York State. She worked endlessly to accomplish this goal.

The program is designed to increase the number of nurse educators and adjunct clinical faculty members teaching nursing education in New York State.

Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who are registered professional nurses enrolling in master’s degree programs which qualify them as nursing faculty or adjunct faculty members.

The scholarships cover the cost of attendance up to $20,000 annually, or the average SUNY cost of attendance, whichever is less. They are valid for up to three years of study.

“The increased funding will help encourage our current professionals to pass on their knowledge to bright and caring students entering into a nursing career,” said Assemblyman Joe Giglio (R-Gowanda). “Pat McGee worked tirelessly to help address the nursing and healthcare shortfalls in the Southern Tier and around the state and I am proud that this scholarship program is dedicated to her memory.”