The Friends of Nursing program exists to recognize and reward nurses for all the valuable roles they play, including: caregiver, educator, researcher, colleague, patient advocate and friend. The program also supports career development initiatives for nurses, in the hopes of helping them provide even better patient care.

The Friends of Nursing program was begun in 1988, by the family of a former Duke Medicine patient, as a way to thank the nurses in our system for the exceptional, compassionate care they provide. Over the years, that family's initial gift has been multiplied by donations from many other grateful individuals and corporations.

Together, those generous donations have helped Friends of Nursing support the careers and professional development of more than 1,000 nurses, in several key ways, including:

Recognizing their Accomplishments
Friends of Nursing gives the staff and patients (as well patients’ families) of Duke University Hospital, Durham Regional Hospital and Duke Raleigh Hospital the opportunity to nominate exceptional nurses for awards. These "Excellence in Nursing" awards, which carry an educational scholarship, are presented at the annual Friends of Nursing Gala.

Advancing their Professional Development
Each year, Friends of Nursing awards stipends to nurses making presentations at regional, national and international nursing and health care facilities.

Furthering their Education
Several times a year, Friends of Nursing's Martha White Blalock Nurse Scholar's program sponsors lectures by nationally renowned nurse scholars and clinicians.