10 Graduate Nursing Scholarships for New Mexico RNs

• New Mexico RNs interested in (or actively working toward) a graduate nursing degree, might already meet the qualifications to apply for several state-specific scholarships. 
• New Mexico tuition for an advanced nursing degree can cost up to $9,000 per year at public institutions. 
• Check out these 10 scholarships for New Mexico nurses who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities. 

Known for its rich culture and beautiful landscape, New Mexico is home to 2.1 million residents, 33% of which live in non-metropolitan areas. These 700,300 rural residents share 157 health facilities (clinics, hospitals, and health centers) requiring each to care for nearly 4,500 residents, according to the Rural Health Information Hub. New Mexico RNs who wish to fill the gap by becoming APRNs may hesitate returning to school due to tuition costs, but there’s help available. 

The workplace may offer a tuition assistance program, but many organizations offer scholarships to RNs pursuing graduate degrees. This applies to RNs with an ADN or BSN who want to go back for an MSN, DNP, Ph.D., or other nursing-related graduate degrees. 

If you’re an RN pursuing an advanced degree, learn about APRN salary and job outlook in New Mexico, tuition costs, and scholarships. 

New Mexico APRN Salary and Job Outlook

Although valuable, APRNs are not as popular in New Mexico. The state has just shy of 1,500 employed NPs in comparison to its 34,000 licensed RNs. However, NPs in the state are well-paid, making on average $137,000 per year – greater than the average national salary. New Mexico has about 60 employed nurse midwives and pay is less than the national average at $117,000 per year. The state has no employed nurse anesthetists; however, if you choose this role, you might consider a travel nurse anesthetist assignment to maintain your New Mexico residency.

The average APRN salaries in the U.S. include $126,000 for NPs, $130,000 for nurse midwives, and $213,000 for nurse anesthetists. APRN jobs in the U.S. are expected to grow 40% by 2033, which is much faster than the average growth rate of most jobs. 

Not every graduate nursing degree is an APRN degree. APRNs serve in advanced clinical roles and diagnose patients. Nurse educators, administrators, informaticists, researchers, clinical nurse leaders, and public health nurses may also hold graduate nursing degrees, but are not considered APRNs. Scholarships are available to New Mexico RNs interested in these roles as well. 

New Mexico APRN Tuition Costs

New Mexico is among the Top 10 states with the most affordable public college tuition, placing RNs who want to attend graduate school in an advantageous position. New Mexico tuition for graduate nursing programs can costs up to $9,000 per year at public institutions. Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as a New Mexico resident, costs can be even higher.  

These numbers do not reflect tuition costs at private institutions. Neither does it include costs for books, uniforms, and equipment for clinical training like stethoscopes, second-hand watches, and pen lights. The costs can add up pretty quickly. 

While these numbers can be intimidating, scholarships can cover some, if not all, costs of returning to school, especially if you apply for more than one. Keep in mind that some scholarship sponsors may require you to be a member of a nursing organization. Fortunately, some membership dues are as low as $80 per year and you’ll have access to membership benefits like free continuing education credits, job boards, retailer discounts, and more. 

10 Scholarships for New Mexico RNs

The New Mexico Board of Nursing offers three APRN licenses: NP, nurse anesthetist, and clinical nurse specialist. New Mexico’s Maternal Health Program offers nurse midwife licenses. If you’re interested in attending graduate school for one of these programs (or are already enrolled) and want to save money, explore these 10 scholarships for New Mexico RNs.  

Visit each sponsor’s website to confirm deadlines, eligibility, and monetary awards. Most scholarships are offered annually, so mark your calendars! 

New Mexico Centers for Nursing Excellence Nightingale Scholarship 

• Sponsor: New Mexico Centers for Nursing Excellence 
• Award: (amount not specified on application, but previous recipients have earned $2,500) 
• Deadline: September 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in a nursing program (includes graduate programs). Must have completed a minimum of one semester or six to eight credit hours of the program, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and submit two letters of recommendation (one from a current faculty member). Must be a resident of New Mexico (exceptions apply). 
• Details: https://www.nmnursingexcellence.org/nightingale-scholarship  

Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico Scholarships 

• Sponsor: Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico 
• Award: (amount not specified) (multiple) 
• Deadline: March 
• Eligibility: For students enrolled in a college program pursuing a higher degree or professional certificate (includes graduate degrees). Must submit a recommendation letter. Multiple scholarships available. 
• Details: https://www.communityfoundationofsouthernnewmexico.org/apply-for-a-scholarship/  

Myrna Wood Founder’s Scholarship 

• Sponsor: New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council (NMNPC) 
• Award: $500 
• Deadline: January 
• Eligibility: For RNs enrolled in (or accepted into) an NP program. Must be a current NMNPC member, reside in New Mexico, and commit to work in the state after graduation. Must submit a recommendation letter from a current faculty member. 
• Details: https://www.nmnpc.org/page/25  

Candelario Garcia Scholarship 

• Sponsor: NMNPC 
• Award: $500 (multiple) 
• Deadline: January 
• Eligibility: For RNs enrolled in (or accepted into) an NP program. Must be a current NMNPC member, reside in New Mexico, and commit to work in the state after graduation. Must submit a recommendation letter from a current faculty member. 
• Details: https://www.nmnpc.org/page/25  

Carol Lee Taylor Doctoral Scholarship 

• Sponsor: NMNPC 
• Award: $500 (four) 
• Deadline: January 
• Eligibility: For NPs currently enrolled in (or accepted into) a program offering doctoral degrees specific to nursing practice or research. Must be a New Mexico resident who has worked as an NP for at least two years and is a current NMNPC member (for at least two years at time of application). Applicants must submit a recommendation letter from a current faculty member and commit to working in New Mexico as an NP after graduation. 
• Details: https://www.nmnpc.org/page/25  

New Mexico Association of Nurse Anesthetists Lorrie Bennett Scholarship  

• Sponsor: New Mexico Association of Nurse Anesthetists, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation 
• Award: $2,500 
• Deadline: (unspecified) 
• Eligibility: For applicants from New Mexico enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia program. Additional scholarships are available.  
• Details: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/education-grants-and-scholarships/foundation-scholarship  

Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Scholarship Program 

• Sponsor: U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) 
• Award: (full ride) 
• Deadline: September 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled or accepted into a full-time accredited academic program in nursing (certified psychiatric NP or any MSN program). Award recipients will also receive a monthly $1,300 stipend to cover living expenses. Must commit to working full-time for the VA for at least two years after graduation. May work at a New Mexico VA or any other VA location in the U.S. 
• Details: https://vacareers.va.gov/job-news-advice/apply-influential-va-scholarship-programs/  

Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships 

• Sponsor: Nurses Educational Funds Inc. 
• Award: (unspecified amount) (multiple) 
• Deadline: February 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in master’s and doctoral nursing programs who have completed at least 12 to 45 credits of schooling and have at least two semesters of study left. Must have at least a 3.6 GPA and submit three references. 
• Details: https://www.n-e-f.org/about-us/nef-scholarships.html 

National League for Nursing Education Scholarship Award 

• Sponsor: National League for Nursing (NLN) 
• Award: up to $8,000 (multiple awards) 
• Deadline: annually in May 
• Eligibility: For NLN members pursuing a graduate degree who have completed at least one year of study at time of application. Must send in two letters of recommendation. Must work full-time as a nurse educator after graduation.  
• Details: https://www.nln.org/nln-foundation/foundationoverview/nursing-education-scholarship-awards  

National Health Services Corp Scholarship Program 

• Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration 
• Award: Varied amount (multiple awards) 
• Deadline: (unspecified) 
• Eligibility: For full-time NP and nurse midwife students enrolled in an accredited school. NP students must specialize in adult medicine, family medicine, geriatrics, primary care pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, or women’s health. All applicants must commit to working at least two years in rural, urban, and tribal communities (those with limited access to care) after graduation. 
• Details: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/eligibility-requirements  

The Bottom Line

If you are a resident of the U.S., you have the right to bodily autonomy and in most cases, there are various employment opportunities that do not require any proof of vaccination.  

We strongly recommend that you do not seek, produce, or distribute fake vaccine cards – it is not only a danger to those around you, but it could cost you your career and so much more.  

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