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Press Release

Nursing Students 'Graduate' from Independence Blue Cross Internship Program

Philadelphia, PA - August 12, 2008 -  The role of a nurse today is very different than it was ten or even just five years ago. With fewer new nurses entering the field each year, and the growing complexities of health care, nursing students must be ready for a wide variety of responsibilities including caregiver, teacher, investigator, and patient advocate.

To help nursing students prepare for this multifaceted role, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) hosts summer internships through its Nurse Scholars Program. Recently, 19 student nurses from nine local nursing schools completed the eight-week internship now in its fourth year, gaining skills that complement their nursing school education with real-world experience in health insurance and community and public health. The internships also help students discover new facets of nursing outside of a hospital or physician's office, such as case management, and a greater appreciation for their chosen field.

Eleven of the nursing students worked at IBC's headquarters where they received a behind-the-scenes look at managed care. Many had the opportunity to connect with members through case management, and discover the importance of bridging the gap between practicing health care clinically and insurance administration.
 
The remaining eight nursing students interned at community health clinics supported by IBC's Charitable Medical Care Grant Program, which provides funding for 31 non-profit, privately-funded clinics that care for 91,000 of this region's underinsured or uninsured population.

One nursing student, Rashida Andrews, a senior at Eastern University, worked at Rising Sun Health Center, her neighborhood health clinic. "I was once a patient at a neighborhood clinic, so it was especially meaningful to me to give back to my own community by educating others about being healthy," said Rashida, who was drawn to a career in nursing after caring for her grandfather with emphysema and volunteering at nursing homes when she was 14.

 "Maintaining the health and wellness of our community is one of the most important objectives of IBC's social mission," said Stephen Fera, IBC's vice president of Government & Social Mission Programs. "Supporting future nurses through programs like the Nurse Internships is one of the many ways IBC is working to ensure that the people in this region will have access to quality care."

About IBC's Nurse Scholars Program
Created in 2004, The Independence Blue Cross Nurse Scholars Program provides financial assistance to nurse educators and undergraduate nursing students to address critical shortage of nurses and nurse educators. IBC has awarded more than $6.5 million for more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate scholarships to future practice nurses and nurse educators at 29 accredited area nursing programs in southeastern Pennsylvania. Since 2005, IBC has have provided administrative and clinical opportunities to a total of 67 nursing intern students

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.