The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) seeks to improve the health and health care of all Americans. As an independent philanthropy devoted to bettering health policy and practice, RWJF focuses its efforts on helping Americans lead healthier lives and receive the quality care they need.

The foundation, based in Princeton, N.J., became a national philanthropy in 1972 and continues the efforts of Robert Wood Johnson, founder of Johnson & Johnson and one of the 20th century’s most innovative business leaders. In line with his mission, the RWJF is currently targeting the nursing profession as a key area of emphasis.

In 2002, the foundation conducted a study, Health Care’s Human Crisis: The American Nursing Shortage, to examine the causes of nursing shortages and to find effective solutions. Today’s nursing shortage differs from those occurring in earlier decades, requiring solutions unique to the 21st century. Among the current factors: an aging population and workforce, lack of diversity in the profession, a work environment with increasing demands and fewer resources, and more options available for women.

To encourage more students to enter the nursing field, the foundation has joined with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to create the RWJF New Careers in Nursing initiative, a national scholarship program created to help alleviate the nursing shortage and increase diversity among nursing professionals.

From this program, Ohio State has received grants to create a graduate entry scholarship fund in advanced practice nursing. The gift provides financial aid to students who enroll in fast-track nursing degree programs, as well as mentoring and leadership development resources. Students enter with a non-nursing undergraduate degree and graduate with a master's degree in nursing after three years of study.

“The mentorship component is very important to the program,” said Rosemary Gibson, RWJF senior program officer. “It will allow students to be introduced to nursing professionals, personally connect with people active in the field, and give them a sense of what they could do in their careers.”

In addition to nursing, Ohio State has received funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in support of academic programming in the College of Humanities and the College of Dentistry, as well as for initiatives and priorities in the Fisher College of Business.

The foundation continues to bring experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves.

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To encourage more students to enter the nursing field, the foundation has joined with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to create the RWJF New Careers in Nursing initiative.