Nursing scholarship launched for prospects from Ferguson

FERGUSON, Mo. -- A nurse spurred by racial unrest in Ferguson after last summer's police shooting death of Michael Brown is giving prospective nurses from that St. Louis suburb an educational break.

Pat Potter coordinates research for nursing and allied health at BJC Health System. She started a scholarship fund in November to assist Ferguson students interested in careers in nursing.

The Nurses for Ferguson Scholarship began with an initial investment of $5,000 from Potter. She also got money from donors and plans to donate $5,000 each year to keep the scholarship active. Only students from the two high schools within Ferguson are eligible.

Two recent McCluer High School graduates are the first recipients of the scholarship. They each received $1,500.