HomeNewsNursing student receives national scholarship for women

Nursing student receives national scholarship for women

By UCOL on Tuesday, 19 December 2017

Adrienne Jensen receiving a scholarship

UCOL Te Pūkenga student Adrienne Jensen has been awarded a $5,000 national scholarship aimed at helping women advance their careers.

Adrienne was recently presented with the Betty Loughhead Soroptimist Scholarship at a Soroptomist International Palmerston North branch dinner. This scholarship is awarded to women over the age of 25 studying towards a tertiary qualification to help them to enter or advance in the workforce.


Adrienne, who is just finishing her second year of the Bachelor of Nursing, says she is very humbled to receive the scholarship. 

“I never ask for anything. Even with my application, I was having second thoughts about submitting it, and I didn’t submit it until the last day.”

“It will help me a lot next year. It means that I can pay for my study without having to work extra.” 

Adrienne says she always wanted to study Nursing, but until a few years ago had never been in a situation where she could make it happen.

“A few years ago I decided it was time for a change, and Nursing was something that kept coming up, so I went for it.”

Prior to starting her degree, Adrienne worked in commercial retail management. 

Once she completes her studies, Adrienne hopes to specialise in mental health, focusing on young people. 

“I’m currently on placement in mental health, which I think has instilled that passion in me. A lot of clients I’ve been dealing with have endured through mental health issues their whole lives. I want to work with young women to show them they don’t have to endure this and that there is a better way.” 

“I have a passion for helping women achieve their goals, be proud, stand up for themselves.”

On top of her studies, Adrienne this year worked as peer tutor for UCOL Health Science students. 

Valda McBeth, Central Region President for Soroptomist International, says Adrienne “has a genuine commitment to nursing, is clear about her goals, and produced really good references in her application.” 

Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement of approximately 80,000 members. The organisation works to educate, empower, and enable opportunities for women and girls.



Pictured above: (From left to right)  Soroptimist International Central Region President Valda McBeth, Soroptimist International Palmerston North President Yvonne Parkes, and Adrienne Jensen.
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