Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship in Nursing

header-title-decorationJoan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship in Nursing

Joan F Barrera in her Nurse uniform

The Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship in Nursing is intended to support undergraduate nursing students attending the Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health (CONAH) who demonstrate the leadership skills, professional dedication, commitment to excellence, and compassion for others that Joan embodied. This scholarship program honors Joan’s enthusiasm in the care of her patients, her focus on giving back to the community, and her results-oriented personality by helping the next generation of nurses achieve their life’s goal to become a registered nurse (RN) and have an enduring impact on the nursing profession.

In close collaboration with the LACSON Alumni Association, the Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship in Nursing was established by her husband Dr. Thomas P. Barrera. Scholarship funding is provided by generous donations from the Barrera Family and private donations.

Joan T. Fujita was born and raised in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles where she was educated at Thomas Starr King Jr. High School and later graduated from John Marshall High School. In 1989, Joan started her career in nursing by enrolling at the Los Angeles County Medical Center School of Nursing. Upon graduation in 1991, Joan received the distinction of Graduate Nurse from the Los Angeles County Medical Center School of Nursing (LACMCSON).

During her time at LACMCSON, Joan was known to exhibit great kindness to her patients and to her fellow students.  She was selfless in her sharing, going the extra mile to help her fellow students succeed. Faculty remembered Joan as demonstrating leadership skills early on, noticing problems and discussing them with faculty. This became even more evident when Joan was nominated and elected by the student body to serve as the Associated Student Body President representing students and their interests during her last academic year.

Joan F Barrera sitting on a rock in front of a mountain

Upon graduation, Joan passed the National Council Licensure Examination to achieve her Registered Nurse license.  Joan was then hired to the high-risk specialty area of Surgical ICU at the Los Angeles County Medical Center (LACMC) where she started her critical care training in the County’s well-known Phase 1 Adult Critical Care Program.

After 2 years of service at LACMC (now Los Angeles General Medical Center), Joan was awarded a scholarship to attend The Johns Hopkins University where she earned a BS in Nursing. Joan then received her MS in Biology/Nurse Anesthesia from the Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and soon after started her residency in nurse anesthesia at the Hospital of Saint Raphael (now the Yale New Haven Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia). While a student at CCSU, her program director awarded Joan excellent ratings in key categories such as interpersonal relationships, professional integrity, dependability, and attitude.  Joan’s flexibility and motivation in the work environment was also recognized as key character attributes.

Upon successfully completing the National Certification Exam to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Joan began an exemplary and dedicated career that spanned over 25 years at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles.  In addition to receiving esteemed honors such as the Kaiser Permanente Nurse Anesthetists Association: CRNA of the Year in 2013 and the Excellence in Leadership Award in 2016, Joan had been a passionate advocate for workplace safety. She consistently prioritized the well-being of both patients and colleagues, leading initiatives that made tangible contributions to a safer and more nurturing environment.  Moreover, her unwavering commitment to wellness extended beyond patient care, as she was instrumental in promoting health and well-being among her peers.  Joan not only demonstrated a high level of knowledge in her practice but also highly refined clinical skills.  When she was assigned as an instructor and mentor for new CRNA students, she was a superb role model for the students to emulate as they progressed their careers to become nurse anesthetists.

Scholarship Requirements for Eligibility

  • Applicants must be enrolled full-time in the Nursing Program at the CONAH.
  • Applicants must have passed their current Drug and Dosage Calculation Competency for semester 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the Nursing Program at the CONAH.
  • Minimum CONAH GPA of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for all CONAH nursing courses maintaining satisfactory academic status.
  • Maintain satisfactory professional conduct throughout the awarded semester.
  • Must have applied for Financial Assistance via the FAFSA or CADAA. If you need assistance with the application, please see the Financial Aid Office.
  • Applicants must have a completed and signed, fully executed, Department of Health Services/CONAH Tuition Agreement Contract on file with the Financial Aid Office.
  • Special consideration will be given to applicants with high unmet financial needs; undocumented students who do not qualify for financial aid; and relevant community service and/or service to the CONAH.

 

Guidelines for the Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship in Nursing

  • Applicants must meet the scholarship eligibility requirements.
  • Applicants must apply using the Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship in Nursing Form (See Application link below)
  • Applicants must authorize the release of student file and financial aid information by CONAH to the scholarship selection panel.
  • Application and all supporting materials must be submitted by the deadline on the application form. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

 

Awards will be in the form of reimbursements for tuition and required textbook payments validated by purchase receipts, at the end of each semester once their satisfactory academic standing has been verified by the OES.

 

Scholarship Application Details

  • Application:  Submit completed application form and essay together. Click here for the Application Form.
  • Essay: Answer the following question in a 1000-word (max) essay using Times Roman font 12-pt, double-spaced:
    • Note:  Upload your application essay with the application form (at the same time) as you can only submit documents once.
    • Essay Questions:
      1. Describe your life experiences and your need for assistance to complete the CONAH nursing program to become a RN.
      2. Describe what you envision your future in nursing will be.
      3. Provide at least two examples of caring that you have demonstrated in your school, work, or personal life.
  • Renewal: Scholarships are awarded for the one application semester only. Awardees must apply for renewal awards every semester thereafter using the Renewal Form found on the Joan F. Barrera Scholarship Application link. Scholarship renewal is contingent upon the student maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) and having documented unmet financial needs. Recipients of the scholarship will be required to provide signed release of student file and financial aid information by CONAH to the selection committee not limited to grades, DDCC results and current enrollment verifications each semester to continue receiving the scholarship for the next application semester.

 

As of August 19th, 2024, applications for the Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship in Nursing are closed. 

If you would like to contribute to the Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship fund, please click the link below for further instructions.

Click Here for the Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship Fund Donation Form 

Questions about the Joan F. Barrera Memorial Scholarship may be sent to: JFBarreraScholarship@dhs.lacounty.gov