Ph.D. Student Awarded Esteemed NLN Foundation Scholarship

Ph.D. student Huifang Cheng received her reward at the recent National League of Nursing (NLN) Education Summit, pictured here with Kathleen Poindexter, NLN president-elect (left), and Beverly Malone, NLN president and CEO (right).

Huifang Cheng, M.S.N., R.N., APN, a student in the Ph.D. in Nursing program, has recently been honored with a National League of Nursing (NLN) Foundation for Nursing Education Faculty Scholarship. The NLN Foundation Scholarship Awards Program supports diverse nurses committed to careers in academic nursing education who are enrolled in accredited graduate programs.

"With dedicated professionals like Huifang paving the way, the future of nursing education seems incredibly promising," said Kristi Stinson, Ph.D., R.N., A.P.N.-B.C., interim dean of the College of Nursing. "This award is not just a personal triumph for her but a testament to the excellence that Seton Hall's College of Nursing consistently cultivates in its scholars."

Cheng's commitment to healthcare is evident from her current role as a nurse practitioner at Garden State Surgical in South Plainfield, NJ, where she has been serving patients since 2014. Moreover, since January 2015, she has been molding the next generation of nurses as a professor at JFK Muhlenberg Harold B. & Dorothy A. Snyder School of Nursing.

Huifang's rich academic background comprises a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bengbu Medical University in China and a Master of Science in Nursing from Monmouth University, NJ. Her research is predominantly centered around nursing education. She has contributed to the field with publications in esteemed journals, and her ongoing doctoral research on staff nurses' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic promises groundbreaking insights.

For Cheng, the NLN Foundation Scholarship represents more than just financial support. "It signifies recognition of my dedication to nursing education and my commitment to making a positive impact," she said. With the scholarship's financial backing, she can further concentrate on her research, ensuring that the gap between academia and clinical practice is bridged seamlessly.

Seton Hall's College of Nursing has played a pivotal role in her development. "The faculty here provides exceptional support and guidance, fostering an environment that encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and hands-on experience," expressed Cheng. "The emphasis on evidence-based practice and the integration of the latest healthcare technologies have prepared me to meet the challenges of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape."

"This recognition stands as a reflection of Huifang's dedication to advancing nursing education as well as the strong promise our students hold and the value they add to the broader healthcare community," said Associate Professor and Ph.D. Program Director Bonnie Sturm, Ed.D., R.N.

Categories: Health and Medicine