Academic opportunities to enter undergraduate nursing should include access for mature, experienced professionals who are prepared to care for an ever more diverse patient population and who can provide nursing expertise in the global arena. The Coverdell Fellowships in nursing are designed to actively support Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) in developing nursing skills in such a way that supports the local community. Coverdell Fellows already have the skills and abilities enabling them to communicate with sensitivity and to develop therapeutic relationships with diverse global populations. Many Colleges of Nursing are currently faced with the challenge of providing students with opportunities which will allow them to become more globally aware and culturally competent. Thus, working with the Peace Corps, a highly respected organization with longstanding international experience, is an obvious step not only to bolster the nursing workforce, but also to develop a more globally sensitive and competent nursing workforce in the U.S. and abroad.