Lauren is a testament to the impact of the Compassion Fund at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. Despite many hardships, she graduated from Goldfarb in December 2023, a feat she attributes to the Compassion Fund and its support from generous donors.
Donors through The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital ensure the Compassion Fund is always available to Goldfarb students in financial distress.
The fund was created to provide financial assistance to nursing students who encounter emergencies that impact their abilities to meet and complete their academic requirements. For many students, all it takes is one emergency to completely disrupt their lives, both financially and emotionally.
“We train students to become nurses who care for every aspect of a person. This means considering not only medical factors but also the social determinants of health that impact patients’ lives,” says Edward Gricius, associate dean of student experience and development at Goldfarb. “The same principle applies to our students. Occasionally, what influences their success goes beyond academics. This is why the compassion funds are so important.”
The Compassion Fund ensures no student ever needs to choose between buying groceries or paying a bill and focusing on their education.
Since its creation, the Compassion Fund has distributed $499,709 to 162 students.
“The Compassion Fund was a lifeline,” Lauren says. Her journey to become a nurse was fraught with challenges. As a single mother of three and a full-time student in the Accelerated Program, she faced overwhelming odds.
During Lauren’s second term, her life was upended when her parents and children were involved in a car accident, totaling her car. An emergency surgery added to her distress and left her physically exhausted and financially drained.
Her reserve funds were depleted, and Lauren was faced with the decision between supporting her family or completing her final term—she was on the brink of quitting.
Support from the Compassion Fund enabled Lauren to purchase textbooks, secure a replacement vehicle, and take a brief break before resuming her studies.
“The Compassion Fund allowed me to carry on and complete my education,” she says. “Without it, I wouldn’t have made it.”
Today, Lauren is supporting her family as a thriving nurse at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Her journey from a struggling student to a passionate nurse underscores the profound impact of the Compassion Fund.
“My life has improved dramatically since receiving the funds,” she says. “I’m grateful to the people who made it possible for me to achieve my dream. I look forward to giving back to the Goldfarb community whenever I can.”
The Compassion Fund continues to be a beacon of hope for students like Lauren, ensuring that unforeseen crises do not derail their dreams.
Requests for emergency financial support are reviewed on a rolling basis to give students the help they need as quickly as possible. Expedited access to emergency financial support can be a lifeline during a crisis and removes a potential barrier to degree attainment.
Students have reported that financial stress distracts them from their academic pursuits. This emergency assistance meets students where they are with compassion and understanding.
“From tackling food insecurity to responding to natural disasters, these funds assist students in keeping their focus on their path to becoming the nurses they were meant to be,” says Edward.
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