AORN Scholarship Board awards scholarships to 71 members

NOVEMBER 1997, VOL 66, NO 5 A O R N S C H O L A R S H I P P R O G R A M

AORN Scholarship Board awards scholarships to 71 members

ome of the many benefits available to AORN members include scholarship awards and S education grants. Although the AORN schol-

arship program has been in existence for many years, the amount of money available to scholarship applicants has increased dramatically since the AORN Foundation was established in 199 I. In the past five years, the amount of scholarship and education grant funds available to AORN members has increased from $44,700 to $150,000. During this same time period, the number of scholarship recipients also has increased threefold (ie, from 26 recipients in the 1992-1993 funding year to 71 recipients in the first funding period of the 1997-1998 year).

AORN FOUNDATION STRUCTURE

he AORN Foundation is managed by Lola T Fehr, RN, MS, CAE, FAAN, executive director; David Edmiston, director; and Twilla Barlow, program coordinator. Louis DeLuca is the President of the Board of Trustees, which directs the Founda- tion’s activities. Other members of the Board of Trustees include industry representatives, past Presi- dents of AORN, and current AORN Board of Direc- tors members. The AORN Scholarship Board is responsible for developing scholarship and education award application criteria and for determining recipients of scholarship awards. The AORN Nurs- ing Research Committee develops research awards criteria and determines recipients of these awards.

AORN FOUNDATION FUNDING

here are three categories of funds: scholarship T awards, research grants, and education grants. These are available to individual AORN members and to AORN chapters.

Scholmhip uWpTds. Funds for scholarships come from individual, AORN chapter, and corporate donors. Scholarships are available for RNs who are AORN members in good standing. Individuals who are pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees in nursing or related complementary fields or who are

pursuing doctoral degrees at accredited institutions are eligible for scholarships through the AORN Foundation. Individuals may apply for scholarships in various amounts (ie, $500; $1,000; $1,500; $2,000) during specific semiannual funding periods.

There are three types of scholarships available: AORN scholarships, RN first assistant (RNFA) scholarships, and novice nurse scholarships. The RNFA scholarships are for RNFAs who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or doctoral degrees. Novice nurse scholarships are intended for nurses with fewer than five years of perioperative nursing experience who are pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

to support research that will contribute to perioperative nursing’s scientific knowledge base. Grants to support research at the following levels are available.

is designed to help experienced nurse researchers with advanced education study the relationship of perioperative nursing interventions to patient outcomes. The funding limit on this grant is $10,000 per study.

AORN Baccalaureate Honors Degree Research Grant. Students in baccalaureate honors programs are eligible for these grants, which are designed to provide support for research and research-related projects.

Nursing Scientist Grant. This grant is dedicated to support the discovery of new knowledge. Nurses with advanced education and experience in the process of scientific inquiry and demonstrated ability to conduct research may apply for this grant. The funding limit on this grant is $5,000 per study.

Perioperative Clinical Practice Grant. Registered nurses who are practicing in the field of perioperative nursing but who are not enrolled in formal education programs are eligible for this grant. Funds are available to promote perioperative nurses’ participa- tion in clinical research and/or evaluation studies. The funding limit on this grant is $1,000 per study.

Nursing Degree Completion Grant. Registered nurses who are enrolled in advanced degree programs (eg, master’s of science degree in nursing, master’s

Reseurch grUlIf.5. The research grants are designed

AORN Patient Outcomes Studies Grant. This grant

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degree in nursing, master’s of science degrees in complementary fields, doctor of philosophy, doctor of nursing science) are eligible for this grant. The grant is designed to help such individuals conduct clinically based research. The funding limit on this grant is $1,000 per study.

AORN Chapter Research Grant. This grant is designed to help AORN chapters conduct research and research-related activities. Grants in varying amounts are available to provide financial assistance to chapters’ research pursuits.

Educufion QrU/VS. Education grants are available for individuals and for AORN chapters. These grants are designed to fund continuing education opportunities. Zimmer Chapter Education Grants are available to AORN chapters wanting to enhance their members’ continuing perioperative education. Grants are given in the amount of $500 and must be used for continuing education activities. Chapters may not receive these grants in two consecutive years. These grants are distributed equally (ie, 15 grants per year) among chapters of various sizes (ie, small, 50 members or less; medium, 5 1 to 150 members; intermediate, 15 1 to 399 members; large, 400 or more members). Grant recipients are selected based on each chapter’s statement, financial need, and date of application receipt by the AORN Foundation.

SPECIAL FUNDING

pecial funding was allocated to sponsor the S 1997 chapter presidents’ leadership meeting, which was held in June. Based on the success of this conference, funding will be continued for the 1998 leadership meeting. Corporate sponsors for the 1997 meeting were: Allegiance Healthcare Corp; Angeli- ca Healthcare; Augustine Medical, Inc; Carl Zeiss, Inc; ConMed Corp; DeRoyal Industries; Education Design, Inc; Fiber-Tech Medical, Inc; Getinge/Cas- tle Healthcare Division; Graphic Controls Corp; Howmedica, Inc; Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies; Kimberly-Clark Corp; KMedic, Inc; Maginnis & Associates; Maxxim Medical; Mega- Dyne Medical Products, Inc; Midmark Foundation; Stackhouse, Inc; STERIS Corp; United Airlines; United States Surgical Corp; and Steve Aichele.

not designated for specific purposes. These general donations are placed in the funds where they are needed the most.

The Foundation receives some donations that are

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING CRITERIA

ach year, the AORN Scholarship Board reviews E and updates the scholarship application. Indi- viduals who apply for scholarships must follow direc- tions and fulfill all requirements listed on the application and submit completed applications before the application deadline. With the increased number of applications received, the Scholarship Board believes it is necessary to review only applications that meet the stated guidelines and requirements. Applications that are incomplete, not typed, or late will not be con- sidered. Applicants may request scholarship and education grant applications and direct questions about the application requirements to Twilla Barlow at AORN Headquarters, telephone (800) 755-2676 x 8229 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Each applicant must submit proof of acceptance or enrollment in a bachelor’s or master’s of nursing degree program or a related complementary field or a doctoral degree program at an accredited institution.

It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that schools mail all official school transcripts of the most recently completed degree programs and current course work (if applicable) directly to AORN. Applicants who received education outside the Unit- ed States must submit transcripts of recent course work in the United States to demonstrate the capa- bility of maintaining a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) at the college level.

Required documentation includes a current resume or cumculum vitae, which may include but not be limited to demographic information, education, professional experience, membership in professional nursing organiza- tions, and community activities; a personal statement that describes current and past contributions to perioperative nursing practice, research, and education; a description of financial need; a description of how the applicant will apply the information gained from course work to perioperative nursing practice and AORN; professional goals related to completing the degree; three endorsement letters (eg, written by colleagues, other AORN members, school advisors). These letters should include but not be limited to the applicant’s scholarly achievement, potential for leadership in applied fields, ability to work with others, perseverance in pursuing goals, written and oral communication skills, and clinical competence.

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Table 1 1997-1998 AORN SCHOLARSHIP CONTRlslcTORS

AbTox, Inc

Aesculap

Becton Dickinson

Constance Ryan, RN, CNOR

Dan Sandel, Founder, Devon Industries, Inc

Dovol, Inc

Ethicon, Inc

Gaymar Industries, Inc

Graphic Controls Corp

ISOLYSER Healthcare

Kimberly-Clark Corp

Linda K. Groah, RN, MS, CNOR, CNAA

Maxxim Medical

Oregon State Council of Perioperative Nurses

Regent Medical

Scanlan International, Inc

Smith & Nephew Endoscopy Division

STERIS Corp

Tecnol, Inc

3M Health Care

Tillotson Healthcare Corp

United States Surgical Corp

Valleylab, Inc

Zimmer

Endowment scholarships AORN Foundation Scholarships

Michael D. Corley Memorial Scholarship

National Certification 6oard:Perioperative Nursing, Inc, CNOR Scholarship

Dr Jane C. Rothrock RNFA Scholarship

William A. Clarke Education Scholarship

Each applicant must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Payment will be made directly to each student at the end of the funding period after successful completion of the course and receipt of course grade and copies of all receipts for allowable expenses. Students must receive letter grades of B or better to receive payments.

SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNITION

cholarship recipients for the first funding period S of the 1997-1998 year are pictured in the foI- lowing pages along with information about the degrees they are pursuing, the schools they attend, and the scholarships they received. Each scholarship recipient will be recognized in the scholarship display at the AORN Foundation booth at the 1998 Congress.

During Congress, the Foundation will host a lun- cheon in honor of the scholarship recipients. Schol- arship recipients’ local chapters have been notified of their members who have received scholarships and are encouraged to recognize and celebrate these members’ accomplishments.

Jerry G. Peers Scholarship

Edith D. Hall Scholarship

The 1997- 1998 AORN Scholarship Board members are Susan Renee Guerra, RN, MN, CNOR, CNAA, chair; Deborah A. Alpers, RN, MS, MNA, CNOR, CNA; C. F. Rick Barber, RN, MS, CNOR; Gwen L. Nelson, RN, BSN, CNOR; Vickie Pierce, RN, BSN, CNOR; and Twilla Barlow, staff consultant.

The Board is most appreciative of the financial support provided by the scholarship contributors (Table 1). Their continued support of penoperative nursing through education funding is integral to the success and strength of AORN and the perioperative nursing specialty. The Board encourages all AORN members to thank the Foundation and the contributors for this valuable membership benefit.

Not pictured are the following scholarship winners: Carolyn Bevelheimer (BSN), Felician College, Lodi, NJ, Aesculap Education Scholarship; Eileen Dellagiacoma (BSN), Felician College, Lodi, NJ, Aesculap Education Scholarship; Lucille Gappen (BSN), Daemen College, Amherst, NY, Aesculap Education Scholarship; Mary Colas (PhD), Loyola University, Chicago, STERIS Corp Education Scholarship;

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Larry Asplin (MSN),

Universlty of Minnesota,

Minneapolis; STERIS Corp

Education Scholarship

Joy Don Baker (PhD),

The FleMlng Instltute, Soma Barbara, Callf;

Becton Dicklnson Scholarshlp

D. Carol Baker (MSN),

Georgia College, Milledgeville;

AORN Foundatlon Scholarship

Juanita Bolan (BSN),

Edinboro (PA) Unlversity;

Regent Medical Education

Scholarship

Donada Bowe (MSN),

Bellarmine College,

Loulsvi I le; Dennls R.

Swnlan, Jr, Memorial

Scholarship


Marlene Brlstol (MSN).

The Unlverslty of Vermont,

Burlington; Maxxim


Mlchelle Byrne (PhD).

Georgia Sfate Unlverslty,

Atlanta; Zimmer Education

Scholarship

Marilyn Chumley

Salmon P. Chose College of Law,

Nonhern Kentucky University,

Hlghland Heights; Jerry 6. Peers

Scholarship

(JDX

Cloire Cole (MSN),

Feliclan College, Lodi, NJ: Valleylab Education

Scholarship

Nancy Copp (BSN),

Pimburg (Kan) State University;

Notional Certification

Bo0rd:Periopem- tive Nursing. Inc,

Scholarship

Diane Cormler (MSN).

Unlverslty of Southern Maine,

Portland; National Certification

Board:Perlopera- tlve Nursing, Inc,

Scholarship

Joann Cundy (MSNIARNP),

Clarkson Cdlege, Omaha;

Unlted States Surgical Corp

Scholarship

Janet D'Agostino (MS).

California College for Health Sciences,

National City; STERIS Corp


Theresa Danniem (BSN),

Regents College, University of the

State of New YOrk Albany; Edith D. Hall Scholarship

Kristi Degner (MSN),

Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti;

Tecnol, Inc, Scholarship

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Karen Doebele (BSN),

Ferris State University,

Big Rapids, MI&; Aesculap Education

Scholarship

Debra Droukas (MSN),

University of MosstlchUSeIlS,

Boston; Tillotson

Healthcare Corp Scholarship

Dolores Fazzino (MSN).

California State University,

Domlnguez Hills; Jane C. Rothrock RNFA Scholarship

Diane Fesler (PhD),

Loyola University, Chicago;

Ablox, Inc, Scholarship

Patricia Hagenban (BSNNSN),

Lewis University, Romeovllle, 111;

Zimmer Education Scholarship


Carol Hager (BSN).

Gannon University, Erie, Pa;

STERIS COrp Education

Scholarship

Patricia Hansan WN).

Wlnona State university,

Rochester, Minn; Dan Sandel,

Founder, Devan Industries, Inc,

Scholarship

Dorene Harrison (MNIFNP).

Duke University School of Nursing,

Durham, NC; Graphic Controls

Corp Education Scholarship

Lesley Henderson W N ) ,

GeaQia State University,

Atlanta; Frances Gins-

Care Scholarship berpl3M HiXlth-

Karena HOUSWMI~ ( M W ,

Kansas University, Kansas City;

Kimberly-Clam Corp Education

Sch o I a rsh i p

Penny Isbitski (MSN).

Seton Hall university, South

Orange, NJ; Gmphic Controls Carp Scholarship

Christy Johnson (MSN).

Clarkson College, Omaha; Jane C.

Rothrodc RNFA Scholarship

Karen Jones (BSN).

California State university,

Domlnguez Hills; Zlmmer Education

Scholarship

Eileen Kelley WS).

Boston College, Chestnut Hill,

MOSS; Gaymar Indushles,

Inc, Educatlon Scholarship

M. Renee Khalar WA).

Auburn (&a) University;

SlERlS Corp EdUCotiMl

Scholarship

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Diane Kimball (MS),

California College of ~ea l th Sciences,

National City; AORN

Foundation Scholarship

Kathryn Kakiko (MBA),

Walker College of Business,

Boane, NC; Tillotson

Healthcare Cow Scholarship

Linda Mamm (MSN).

Clarkson College, Omaha;

Tillotson Health- care Corp

Scholarship

Louise Posoka (MS),

Clorkson College, Omaha;

STERIS Corp Education

Scholarship

Debra Plin (MSN), California State

University, Dominguez Hills;

AbTox, Inc, Scholarship


Joanne Porter (MBA).

Allentown College of Si Fmncis de

SaleS, Center Valley, Pa;

Tecnol, Inc, Scholarship

Candace Reed (MBA).

Indiana Weslyan University, Marion;

Gmphic Controls Corp Scholarship

Andrea ffomanelli

Lewis Universlty, Romeoville, 111;

Aeseulap Education

Scholarship

(EN).

Susan Root WN) ,

Sonoma Slate Unlveaity,

RohneR Polk Calif;

Maxxim Medical Scholarship

Maw Ann Sarmlere (MSN).

Seton Hall University,

South Orange, NJ; Graphic Controls Corp Scholarship

Susan Schwam (DBA),

Nova Southeastem Universlty,

Ft Lauderdale, Fla; Gmphic

Controls Corp Scholarship

Rose Seavey (MBA).

Regis Unlversity, Denver;

Valleylab, Inc, Education

Scholarship

Karin SelEach (BSN),

Samuel Merrit College/St Mary's

College, Oakland, Calif;

AORN Foundation Scholarshlp

Donna Slezak (BSN).

Unlverslty of Phoenix,

Sauthfield, Mich; Aesculap Education

Scholarship

Sheila Thompson (MN).

University of Phoenix, Tucson;

STERIS Gorp Eduwtlon

Scholarship

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Ann Tyrreiil (MSN),

Arizona Stale University,

Tempe; &Ion Diekinson Education

Scholarshlp

Trudy Vertrees (BSN).

University of Texas Medical

Branch School Of Nursing,

Galveston: United States Surgical

Corporation Scholarship

Kelley Welibrock (MHSA),

Rochester (NY) institute of

Technology; United States surgicai corp

Scholarship

Susan White (MBA),

Our Lady of the Lake University,

San Antonio; William A. Clallte

E d m i o n Scholarship

lerri Zimon (MSN).

AngewsUniveW, Berrien Springs,

Mi&, Michael D. Coriey

Memorial Scholarship

David Grantham (MBA), Baker University, Overland Park, Kan, Graphic Controls Corp Scholarship;

9 Evelyn Gunter (MS), College of St Francis, Joliet, 111, The Davol Scholarship; Debra Hovarter (MS), Universi- ty of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Graphic Controls Corp Scholarship; Renee Jepson (MS/ANP), Uni- versity of Portland, Portland, Ore, Valleylab, Inc, Education Scholarship;

Boston University School of Management, Graphic Controls Corp Education Scholarship;

9 Nancy Mikulin (MSN), Uni- versity of San Francisco, Dan Sandel, Founder, Devon Industries, Inc, Scholarship;

9 Robert Morgan (MSN),Web- ster University, St Louis, Tillotson Healthcare Corp Scholarship;

Brenda McKonly (EMBA),

Patricia Obulaney (BSN), Prairie View A&M University School of Nursing, Houston, Tecnol, Inc, Scholarship; Meta Penwell (MBA), City University, Bellevue, Wash, Graphic Controls Corp Scholarship; Lucille Roegner (BSN), Lin- field College, Portland, Ore, Oregon State Council of Peri- operative Nurses Scholarship; Carol Schmekel (M/HM&P), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy Division Scholarship; Jacqueline Seacat (MSN/NP), Indiana Weselyan University, Marion, United States Surgical Corp Scholarship;

Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, ISOL- YSER Healthcare Scholarship; Lynn Walker (BSN), Widener University, Chester, Pa, Zim- mer Education Scholarship; Janice Warren (BS), College of St Francis, Joliet, Ill, United States Surgical Corp Scholarship;

9 Cynthia Webber (BSN), Lourdes College, Sylvania, Ohio, Aescu- lap Education Scholarship; Carla Willis (MBA), Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio; Graphic Controls Corp Education Scholarship. A

9 Elizabeth Sorenson (PhD),

Age-Specific Competencies Provide Guidance A work group appointed by the Professional Prac- tice Issues Project Team has developed a new four- book series to provide guidance for perioperative nurses in applying AORN’s competency state- ments in perioperative nursing to the physical,

age-specific patient populations. The age-specific competencies are available individually or as a set from the AORN Perioperative Bookstore. For more information or to order, please contact AORN customer service/book orders at

cognitive, and psychosocial needs of diverse (800) 755-2676 x 1.

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Documents

AORN Scholarship Board awards scholarships to 71 members