At Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland, nurses have spent over a decade supporting one another through a grassroots scholarship called Grow A Nurse.
What began as a small fundraising effort now funds scholarships for nurses advancing their education, mostly through nurse-designed T-shirt sales. Since its start, it has raised more than $80,000 and supported 19 nurses earning degrees from ADN and BSN to DNP and post-master’s certificates.
In 2024, the initiative raised over $15,000. In 2025, nurses sold 1,000 shirts, and raised $20,000 up from 650 in 2024.
The fundraiser has grown into a long-running scholarship program now sustained by nurse-designed T-shirt sales and donations.
A Scholarship Program Built by Nurses
The Grow A Nurse Scholarship started with an idea from Carol Fickinger, a former nurse at the hospital and currently a telephone triage nurse for the health system.
Fickinger’s inspiration came at a Maryland Nurses Association conference on the hospital campus.
“I was attending the Maryland Nursing Association Conference, which happened to be held on our hospital campus, when there was a nursing scholarship presented during the awards luncheon,” she said. “That moment really stood out to me because I believed our nurses had the ability to come together and raise funds to support one of our own.”
Inspired, she spoke with the chief nursing officer.
“That’s how the program began,” Fickinger said.
Initially, organizers relied mainly on donations from nurses. In the first year, the goal was $5,000, but they raised $1,300 and awarded their first scholarship.
A pivotal event soon defined the culture.
“A highlight was when our first scholarship recipient, so appreciative, donated to fund the next year’s award,” Fickinger said. “That moment truly captured the Grow A Nurse spirit.”
Nurses Supporting Nurses
For Fickinger, it was significant that nurses funded the scholarships themselves.
“During my 40-year career, I’ve always admired the generosity of nurses,” she said. “I’ve seen countless instances where nurses on my unit came together to support a colleague or patient in need.”
“Because of that, it was important to me that this scholarship be funded by nurses. It reflects our shared commitment to taking care of one another and investing in our own profession.”
This giving culture continues. Many recipients donate back, and a retired nurse gives $2,500 annually.
The Fundraising Strategy That Sparked Growth
The initiative grew via raffles, donations, and Nurses Week fundraisers. Its biggest boost came in 2018 with the introduction of T-shirt sales.
“The program took off in 2018 with T-shirt sales,” Fickinger said. “It really resonated with nurses and made it simple for many to contribute.”
Three years ago, organizers launched a design contest that allowed staff to submit annual T-shirt artwork.
“Having nurses design the T-shirt really resonated with staff,” Fickinger said.
This year’s winning design, “The Power of Nurses,” was created by Patient Care Technician Carol Preller. It features nurses with capes in front of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, near Annapolis.
Shirts cost $10 to make and sell for $20. Most are sold during Nurses Week, outside the cafeteria, and at the annual dinner. Staff can also buy them online via QR code.
A 15-nurse committee now manages the program, fundraising, applications, and scholarship selection.
Helping Nurses Advance Their Education
Scholarships are open to nurses enrolled in nursing programs and Patient Care Technicians entering nursing school. Applicants complete an essay.
Last year’s fundraising will fund three $5,000 scholarships this year.
For recipient Katie Allen, the scholarship helped ease the balancing act between full-time work and nursing school.
Allen, BSN, RN, CAPA, works in the Short Stay unit and earned her BSN in July 2025.
“Before the scholarship, I worked full time as a registered nurse and attended nursing school full time, balancing coursework, clinicals, and expenses,” Allen said.
She said the scholarship eased the stress of tuition and student loan payments.
“The scholarship reduced my tuition and loan burden, allowing me to focus on studies instead of financial pressure,” she said.
Since earning her BSN, Allen has taken on additional duties, including serving as a relief charge nurse.
“Since earning my BSN, I’ve become a relief charge nurse. This experience has strengthened my leadership skills and patient care,” Allen said.
Allen said the scholarship represented more than financial support.
“The Grow A Nurse Scholarship supported me financially and reminded me that my community believes in my potential,” Allen said. “It inspires me to give back each day.”
Still Growing More Than a Decade Later
Fickinger, now with Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise, remains involved and attends the annual Nurses Week Dinner.
“I value staying involved,” she said. “Hearing their stories and what drives their education is meaningful.”
Looking back, she finds the program’s ongoing momentum rewarding.
“Sixteen years and $80,000 later, the program is still going strong,” Fickinger said. “Watching nurses continue to support each other is inspiring.”
