Recruiting knowledge, not just nurses

The importance of the definition of nurse as a "knowledge worker" and the utility of knowledge as a recruitment policy for building a strong nursing workforce are discussed. The method used is the implementation of a statewide merit-based scholarship program targeting academically excellent students. At the University of Vermont, which educates roughly half of the state's nursing students, applications to the College of Nursing are up 83 percent, and entering class size is up 92 percent. Most significantly, Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores have improved 4 percent, reversing an 8-year trend. In conclusion, merit scholarships are an effective means of building intellectual capacity and attracting academically stronger candidates to the nursing profession.