New MExico Center for Nursing Excellence
Student Success Fund
New Mexico Needs Nurses
New Mexico is experiencing a nursing shortage, and as an under-resourced state, the impact is felt deeply across our communities. To help address this need, NMCNE partners with the New Mexico Board of Nursing to provide stipends for nursing students. These stipends ease financial pressures and support students as they work toward completing their nursing education. By investing in their success, we’re building a stronger nursing workforce for the future of New Mexico.
Advancing the Nursing Community.
Generously funded by the New Mexico Board of Nursing, the Nightingale Award supports the future of nursing with a $1,000 stipend. These stipends honor nursing students for their dedication to the profession, academic achievement, and commitment to community service.
Application Requirements
Residency Requirement: Be a resident of New Mexico or be a member of the Navajo Nation (members of the Navajo Nation serving NM residents)
Academic Achievement: Have successfully completed a minimum of one semester or 6-8 credit hours of nursing courses in your current nursing program, (ADN, BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, post-graduate nursing degree). All pre-licensure nursing programs must be approved by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. (For a complete list of approved NM schools, please visit the NM Board of Nursing website www.bon.nm.gov.)
GPA Requirement: Submit proof of academic ability: Maintain at least an overall (not just nursing courses) grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Academic Transcript: Submit a copy of the current grade transcript with application. Transcript(s) must include school name and applicant name. No need to send grades from previous degrees obtained. Unofficial transcripts are accepted. Transcripts must be emailed to applications@nmcne.org.
Evidence of Leadership and Character Reference: Include one letter of recommendation. The letter must be from nursing faculty or academic advisor in your current program. If the letter submitted is not from a current nursing faculty or academic advisor in your current nursing program, you will not get points for this section and it will significantly impact the strength of your overall application, as letters are worth 15% of your overall score. Letter must be submitted by the letter writer at this link.
Essay Responses: Respond to the three essay questions listed in this form.
General Administrative Guidelines
Completed applications for stipend awards must be submitted to the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence no later than Friday, October 30, 2026.
Transcript of grades (Must include school name/s and applicants name) must be sent to application@nmcne.org no later than Friday, October 30, 2026.
Questions? Call 505-565-5811 or email application@nmcne.org
Please note:
Applicants are responsible for meeting all requirements by the deadline.
Applicants may reapply in subsequent years.
Stipend monies will be paid directly to the individual via a check sent to the director of their nursing program for those in pre-licensure programs.
FAQs
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The Nightingale Award is a $1,000 stipend awarded to nursing students at various degree levels in recognition of their dedication to the profession, academic achievement, and service to their communities. This is not tuition-based financial aid—recipients receive the funds directly as an unrestricted stipend.
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Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program in New Mexico and actively pursuing their first nursing degree at that level (e.g., first associate, first bachelor's, first master's in nursing, etc.). Students pursuing a second degree at the same level are not eligible.
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Yes. The stipend is unrestricted, which means recipients can use it for any personal or academic need—tuition, textbooks, transportation, childcare, or anything else that supports their success.
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Yes, part-time students are eligible to apply as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
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The application will open September 15and close on October 30. All materials must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for review.
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2026 award recipients will be announced in early 2026. Stipend payments will be issued in spring 2027.
