Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of NursingThinking about getting a nursing degree but worried about the cost? You’re not alone. Many people considering nursing school for undergraduate or graduate programs worry about finances, including minorities and underrepresented groups. Finding and applying for nursing scholarships is one way to chip away at program fees—or get them completely covered!

Rebecca Schamel was in the preceptorship of her nursing program at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing when the pandemic hit. Rather than finish their preceptorships in the hospital, nursing students were given two options: work through case studies online or volunteer at a COVID-19 testing site for BJC HealthCare. Schamel, who grew up in a family of nurses, volunteered.

“I went back and forth a bit but felt it was an opportunity to be a part of something the world hasn’t seen in a long time,” she says.