Nabholz gives $450,000 to support nursing at Arkansas Children’s

The Nabholz Charitable Foundation donated $450,000 to support nursing at Arkansas Children’s in Little Rock. The gift will provide support for continuing education and training for nurses and ensure the hospital can retain and recruit “the best and brightest nurses in the region,” according to a news release.

It also will support certification scholarships for nursing education and the Versant RN Residency Program and sustain the Magnet Recognition the hospital received in March.

“Nabholz Construction has built communities in Arkansas for nearly seven decades,” said Jake Nabholz, executive vice president of Nabholz and a member of the Arkansas Children’s Foundation Board of Directors. “As a family who is proud to have nurses in its ranks, we understand the importance of giving back to the community and making Arkansas a healthier place for children to live. On behalf of our employees, we are proud to support the great work of more than 1,300 nurses who are providing a healthier tomorrow for the children at Arkansas Children’s hospital.”

The healthcare sector doesn’t have enough nurses to meet demand, but “the Nabholz gift will support initiatives and programs to ensure nurses at Arkansas Children’s have the training, support and technology they need to deliver the right care in the right ways at the right time for kids,” the release shows. “One such program is the Versant RN Residency program.” It was started in 2014 and offers an “immersive, evidence-based onboarding experience for newly graduated nurses in order to help them become competent, confident and safe practitioners.” Since it was established at the hospital, 218 nurses have graduated from the program.

“Providing safe, compassionate, excellent care to kids is at the core of our mission here at Arkansas Children’s,” said Lee Anne Eddy, chief nursing officer and senior vice president for Arkansas Children’s. “Investments from generous donors like Nabholz help us train and support our nurses at unprecedented levels. Support like this helped us earn Magnet status, which is wonderful for our patients and families.”

The Nabholz Charitable Foundation has supported Arkansas Children’s for more than 45 years, said Fred Scarborough, chief development officer of Arkansas Children’s and president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation. “This investment in nursing excellence at Arkansas Children’s is designed to enhance the highest quality pediatric care as well as train and retain our top-tier nursing staff.”

Over the past five years, Nabholz Charitable Foundation has donated more than $750,000 to support nursing.