NCSBN Selects First Recipient of the Charlene Kelly Scholarship Fund

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - June 2, 2009) - The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN®), www.ncsbn.org, names Debra Scott, MSN, RN, FRE, executive director, Nevada State Board of Nursing as the first recipient of a Charlene Kelly Scholarship Fund grant to enable her to attend the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Global Nursing Leadership Institute.

Named for the late Charlene Kelly, former executive officer of the Nebraska Board of Nursing, this scholarship fund honors Kelly's visionary leadership. Grants from this fund offer a distinguished leadership growth opportunity for current executive officers of state boards of nursing.

"We are delighted to be able to offer this unique opportunity to one of NCSBN's member board executive officers. The fact that we are also able to acknowledge Charlene Kelly's many contributions to nursing regulation through this fund is especially important. We want to honor her memory by inspiring others to follow in her footsteps," comments Laura Rhodes, MSN, RN, president, NCSBN and executive officer, West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses.

Scott was selected by ICN to attend the Leadership Institute in Geneva, Switzerland this September. The Institute offers an advanced leadership program for nurses in executive positions and enhances existing leadership knowledge and skills related to national and global health priorities.

Scott remarks, "I am committed to honoring Charlene and her contribution to her fellow executive officers through my participation in the Global Nursing Leadership Institute. Building alliances has been my focus throughout my professional nursing career and I look forward to developing a greater understanding of how to foster those relationships. This opportunity is an awesome gift which will enhance my ability to serve."

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose members include the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. The College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia is an associate member.

Mission: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), composed of Member Boards, provides leadership to advance regulatory excellence for public protection.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277

Contact Information: Contact: Dawn M. Kappel Director, Marketing and Communications 312.525.3667 direct 312.279.1034 fax