Two undergraduate nursing students at Immaculata University have been selected to receive a 2021 McLean Scholarship for Nursing and Physician Assistant Majors. The scholarships are from an endowment established by a gift from the McLean Contributionship and administered through the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP).

The students — Jennifer Grubb, of Coatesville, and Margarita Barnes, of Paoli — were chosen from a substantial pool of students from across the state. Each student will receive $4,425 for the upcoming academic year.

“Jenn and Maggy epitomize the hardworking, dedicated, and academically excellent students who will one day make competent and holistic nurses,” said Dr. Jane Tang, chair of Immaculata’s Division of Nursing. “I am overwhelmingly pleased that AICUP chose to recognize these two students with such a generous scholarship.”

A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Grubb suffered from PTSD. Since those dark days, she now shares her story as a public speaker on the topic, while working for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Coatesville. After she graduates from Immaculata’s accelerated, second degree nursing program, Grubb will return to the VA as a MyHealthVet coordinator.

With her willingness to help her fellow citizens, Grubb volunteered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring patients were kept safe from potential exposure, working at the screening tents and managing the vaccine rollout for patients and their families. Grubb also finds time to volunteer as a chapter lead for Weekly Fight, an organization that provides free CrossFit workouts to veterans and their families – with proceeds helping PTSD and suicide awareness.

“I cannot imagine being anything other than a nurse,” Grubb said. “I believe God puts us where we are intended to be, and being here, in this moment, is truly my destiny.”

Barnes is a first-generation immigrant, originally from Mexico. Since arriving in the U.S., she has supported herself and paid for college by serving in various positions such as nanny, Yoga instructor, and currently a homecare aid. She is generous with her time, volunteering at Immaculata during the summer for the garden club’s donations to the Chester County Food Bank and serving as president of the Immaculata Student Nurses Association.

Barnes retains dean’s list status and is a member of the Psi Chi (international honor society for psychology), Pi Gamma Mu (honor society in social sciences), and the National Student Nurses Association. She also participated in a two-week Immaculata mission trip to Peru. After graduation, Barnes plans to explore RN positions in her areas of interest within the field, including pediatrics, mental health, and end-of-life care.

“A compassionate heart is not the only important aspect in a career such as nursing,” Barnes said. “In the beginning of my undergraduate studies, I discovered a deep passion for understanding the complexities of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, as well as the medical and health sciences.”

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