PhD student Corey Lofton (left) received the first ALN doctoral level scholarship.University of Alabama at Birmingham Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing student Corey Lofton, BSN, RN, received the inaugural Alabama League of Nursing Scholarship to support doctoral level education. Lofton was presented with the scholarship at the organization’s annual conference on March 1, 2019.
“I was surprised and grateful to be chosen,” said Lofton, who started the School’s PhD program in August. “Known for being one of the oldest nursing organizations, ALN’s mission stands on the foundational pillars of caring, integrity, diversity and excellence. This is my first year to be part of the Alabama League of Nursing, and ALN’s mission drew me to this professional organization.”
ALN instituted master’s and doctoral level scholarships this year after approving a proposal from outgoing ALN President and UAB School of Nursing Assistant Professor Tedra Smith, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-PC, CNE. These scholarships support the next generation of nurse leaders and nurse scientists, Smith said, and support ALN’s dedication to future of nursing.
Lofton plans to research the symptoms patients with demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, experience in order to positively impact health care and patient care. Lofton also is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholar, which means he is fully funded for three-years of his PhD program.
Scholarships are important in doctoral study, Lofton said, as they allow students to pursue further opportunities in their study.
“Doctoral scholarships support educating future nurse scientists and help get our research careers started. Scholarships aid in additional education and travel funds to attend national conferences, as well as funds to support the dissertation phase of the PhD curriculum and/or scholarly projects,” Lofton said. “For anyone pursuing doctoral level education, scholarships are fundamental to support the learning process.”
Lofton plans to increase his involvement in ALN and further the organization’s mission.
“As nurses, we understand the importance of promoting health and instilling hope into our communities, we respect everyone with dignity despite limitations or background, embrace everyone for their uniqueness and respect their values and ideas, and strive to implement strategies with daring ingenuity throughout our careers,” Lofton said. “In the future I would like to become more involved with the ALN by serving on an advisory committee to help impact the goals, traditions and core values of the professional organization.”
Lofton received his Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Gadsden State Community College in 2015 before entering the UAB School of Nursing’s RN-Mobility Program for his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He graduated with honors from with a BSN in August 2018 before entering the PhD program.
