Recognizing that there is a shortage in supply of registered nurses, and that if the number of nursing students is to be materially increased to meet the demand there must first be an increase in the number of persons qualified for teaching or supervising in clinical areas, and further recognizing that the cost of education deters nurses from obtaining the education necessary to qualify them for teaching or supervision in clinical areas, there are hereby created state scholarships that shall be maintained by the state and awarded and administered pursuant to this

article.