AORN Scholarship Board awards scholarships to 75 members

NOVEMBER 1999, VOL 70, 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 75 members

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

scholarship 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 1991.

AORN FOUNDATION FUNDING

T awards. research grants. institution grants, education grants, and leadership funding. These are available to individual AORN members and to AOKN chapters. The Foundation receives some donations that are not designated for specific pur- poses. These general donations are placed in the funds where they are needed the most.

Scholumhip uwufffs. Funds for scholarships come from individual, AORN chapter, and corporate donors. Scholarships are available to RNs who are AORN members in good standing. Individuals who are pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees in nursing o r 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; 52.0(X)) during specific semiannual funding periods.

There are three typcs of scholarships available: AOKN scholarships, RN first assistant (RNFA) scholarships. and novice nurse scholarships. The RNFA scholarships are for RNFAs who are pursuing bachelor‘s. master’s, or doctoral degrees. Novice nurse scholarships are intended for perioperative nurses with fcwer than five years of nursing experience H ho iire pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrecs.

Reseufch grunts. AORN offers a multilevel research grant program. designed to support the devel- opment of nurse researchers and to contribute to the Pcientitic knowledge of perioperative nursing practice. The program recognizes that research skills are devel- oped through education and experience. Nurses inter-

here are five categories of funds: scholarship

ested in conducting research develop their expertise as they progress through professional nursing education programs; research opportunities that are commensu- rate with their education are supported through the AORN Research Grant Program. This multilevel tra- jectory has been established to provide research opportunities for various levels of expertise. Priority for grant funds is given to AORN members.

The AORN Research Grant Program also pro- vides funding opportunities for chapters, specialty assemblies, state councils, and others engaged in collaborative research projects. Again, recognizing that chapters, specialty assemblies, or state councils may have various levels of expertise among their members, funding is available for projects that rep- resent the spectrum of research interests, from individual chapter projects to multisite collaborative investigations. Grants to support research at the following levels are available.

Senior SCieD!iS!. This grant allots funds for the experienced nurse researcher to complete investiga- tor-initiated research. Research projects conducted as part of a postdoctoral fellowship in perioperative nursing research can be funded in this category. Awards are given to a maximum of $25,000.

Junior ScieD!id. This grant allots funds for the RN to complete an individual research project. The project may be part of a formal education program at the doctoral level, such as a dissertation, or it may be a self-initiated study. Awards are given to a maximum of $15,000.

Research USSaCiate. This grant allots funds for the RN to complete an individual research project. The project may be part of a formal education program at the master’s level, such as a thesis or master’s graduate project, or it may be a self-initiated study. Awards are given to a maximum of $5,000.

registered or student nurse to complete an individual research project. The project may be part of a formal education program at the baccalaureate level, such as an honors project or a senior thesis, or it may be a self-initiated study or research project for individual career advancement. Awards are

Novice researcher. This grant allots funds for the

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NOVEMBER 1999, VOL 70,5 A O R N S C H O L A R S H I P P R O G R A M

given to a maximum of $1,000. Educlltion gfflnfS. 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. These grants are dis- tributed 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. Other education programs are available to chapters through grants given by Ethicon, Inc, and Surgical Information Systems.

lnsfifufiond grunts. The purpose of an institu- tional grant is to assist institutions that have mis- sions of providing direct patient care with special projects requiring an investment of personnel time or other resources. The project must relate to the care of surgical patients, but need not be limited to surgical patients only. Grants will be for a maximum of $1,500 and will be awarded in two funding periods annually subject to receipt of the designated contributions. Funds may be used for staff compen- sation, staff special benefits (eg, education), or sup- plies and materials. Checks will be made payable to the institution and not to individuals. Grant recipients must submit a final report of the project, prefer- ably one that may be considered for publication.

Leudefship funding. Funding was allocated to sponsor the 1999 chapter presidents’ leadership meeting, which was held in June. Based on the success of this conference, funding will be continued for the 2000 leadership meeting.

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING CRITERIA

ach year, the AORN Scholarship Board (Figure E 1) reviews and updates the scholarship application. Individuals who apply for scholarships must follow directions, 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,

Figure 1 The 1999-2000 AORN Foundotion Scholarship Board members. (from /en) Jane Alcock Leslie Blakley, choir; Winsome Miller; Margaret J. Sudduth; and Marlene Craden.

or late will not be considered. Applicants may request scholarship and education grant applications and direct questions about the application requirements to AORN Headquarters, by telephone at (800) 755-6304 x 366 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 United States must submit transcripts of recent course work in the United States to demon- strate the capability of maintaining a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) at the college level.

Required documentation includes a current resume or curriculum 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; and three endorsement letters (eg. written by col- leagues, other AORN members, or school advi- sors). 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

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goals, written and oral communication skills, and clinical competence. Scholurship deadlines. The AORN Scholarship

Board has changed application deadlines to April 1 and October I . Applications and supporting documents must be sent via US postal service and post- marked no later than the deadline. Faxed copies will not be accepted.

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 S period of the 1999-2000 year are pictured on the following pages, along with information about the degrees they are pursuing, the schools they

Table 1 1999-2000 AORN SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTORS

Aesculap

Ansell Perry

Certification Boards, Inc

Connie Ryan, RN, CNOR

Dan Sandel, Founder, Devon Industries, Inc

Davol, Inc

Ethicon, Inc

Kendall-LTP

Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, Inc

Kimberly-Clark Corp

Linda Groah, RN, MS, CNOR, CNAA

Maxxim Medical

Olympus America, Inc

Oregon State Council of Perioperative Nurses

Regent Medical

Scanlan International, Inc

STERIS Corp

attend, and the scholarships they received. During Congress, the Foundation will host a

luncheon in honor of the scholarship recipients and donors. Scholarship recipients’ local chapters have been notified about their members who have received scholarships and are encouraged to recog- nize and celebrate these members’ accomplish- ments. The 1999-2000 AORN Scholarship Board members are Jane Alcock, RN, BSN, CNOR; Leslie Blakley chair, RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA; Margaret J. Sudduth, RN, MHS, CNOR; Marlene Craden, RN, BSN, CNOR, CNRFA; Winsome Miller, RN, 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 perioperative 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.

TFX Surgical Group

United States Surgical Corp

Valleylab, Inc

Zimmer, Inc

Endowment ScholarshiDs

Michael D. Corley Memorial Scholarship Endowed by the AORN Exhibitors’ Advisory Committee

Certification Boards, Inc, CNOR Scholarships

Dr Jane C. Rothrock RNFA Scholarship

William A. Clarke Education Scholarship

Ruth P. Shumaker Education Endowment Endowed by Advanced Sterilization Praducis

3M Health Care Endowment

George W. Bush Endowment Endowed by AORN of Greater Houston

AORN Foundation ScholarshiDs

Jerry G. Peers Scholarship

Edith D. Hall Scholarship

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Donna Adams (BSN).

Marshfield, Mass; Davol, Inc,

Scholarship

Margaret Anthony (MHA).

Charleston, SC; STERIS Corp Scholarship

Camille Bergstraesser

(MSN), Gainesville, Fla; Regent Medical

Scholarship

Ann Callahan (BSN) Needham, Mass; Aesculap, Inc, Scholarship

Judith Celik (MSNRNP), Mesa, Ariz;

Maxxim Medical Scholarship


Claire Cole (MSN), Butler,

NJ; United States Surgical Corp

Scholarship

Jennye Cox (BSN), Carrolton, Tex; STERIS Corp

Scholorship

Joann Cundy (MSN), valrico,

Ha; Zimmer, Inc, Scholarship

Sandra Fisher (BSN), Hillsboro,

Ore; Oregon State Council

Scholarship

Cynthia Frank (BSN), Be1 Air, Md; Dennis R.

Scanlon, Jr, Memorial

Scholarship

Alma Gaertner (BSN),

Lawrenceville, Go; Ansell Perry, Inc, Scholarship

Patricia Hagenbart (MBA),

Parkridge, 111; United States Surgical Corp

Scholarship

Carol Hager (BSN), Erie, Pa;

Ansell Perry, Inc, Scholarship

Christine Haigis (BSN), Hudson,

NH; Valleylab, Inc, Scholarship

Lesley Henderson (PhD), Rome, Go; William A. Clarke

Endowed Scholarship

89 1 AORN JOURNAL

Constance Herman

(MSNIFNP), Susanville, Calif;

Jerry G. Peers Scholarship

Sharon Hohler (BSN), Cape

Girardeau, Mo; Certification Boards, Inc, Scholarship

Carolyn Kellogg (MSN), Traverse

City, Mich; Johnson &

Johnson Medical, Inc, Scholarship

Ouida Klock (MSN),

Elizabethtown, Tenn; Certification

Boards, Inc, Scholarship

Ruth Kolesar (BSN), Gillespie,

111; Certificarion Boards, Inc, Scholarship


Sherron Kurtz (MSN),

McDonough, GO; Johnson &

Johnson Medical, Inc, Scholarship

Janet Larsen (MBA), Enfield,

NH; Certification Boards, Inc, Scholarship

Nancy Lilliott (MSN),

01 iven hai n, Calif; Dr Karl Storz

Memorial Scholarship

Mary McDonald (MSN), Dallas;

Johnson & Johnson Medical,

Inc, Scholarship

Linda Meely (BSN), Erie, Pa;

Kendall-LTP Scholarship

Teri Mobley (BSN), Cullman,

Ah; Aesculap, Inc, Scholarship

June Neeley (MSNIFNP), Salt

Lake City; Michael D. Corley

Memorial Endowed

Scholarship

Margaret Noffsinger

(MSN). Myersville, Md;

William A. Clarke Endowed

Scholarship

Darlene Pilanki (BSN), Pittsburgh;

Zimmer, Inc, Scholarship

Jody Porter (MBA), Andreas, Pa; Kendall-LTP

Scholarship

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Candace Reed (MBA), Tipton,

Ind: Michael D. Corley Memorial

Endowed Scholarship

Priscilla Renwick (MSNFN P),

Gulfport, Miss: Certification Boards, Inc, Scholarship

Sharon Robinson (BSN), Saratoga

Springs, NY; United States Surgical Corp

Scholarship

Tammy Rockweiler

(MSWNP), Reedsburg, Wis;

Certification Boards, Inc, Scholarship

Susan Root (MSN), Santa

Rosa, Calif; Dr. Karl Storz Memorial

Scholarship

NOVEMBER 1999, VOL 70.5 A O R N S C H O L A R S H I P P R O G R A M

Gail Salyer (BSN), Son

Diego; Aesculap, Inc, Scholarship

Nancy Schreiber (MSN), Fresna,

Calif; Certification Boards, Inc, Scholarship

Kathryn Schroeter (PhD), Oak Creek, W is;

STERIS Corp Scholarship

Rose Seavey (MBA), Arvada,

Colo; 3M Health Care Scholarship

Mary Kay Smith (BSN), Topeka,

Kan; Kendall-LTP Scholarship

Kay Taylor (MSN), Charlotte,

NC; Ansell Perry Inc, Scholarship

Debra Thompson (BSN), Paw Paw,

Mich: Aesculap, Inc, Scholarship

Mary Thompson (MSN),

Springboro, Ohio; William A. Clarke

Endowed Scholarship

Wendy Valentine (PhD),

Snohomish, Wash; Zimmer,

Inc, Scholarship

Mary Jane Vasquez-McClain

(MSN), Fresno, Calif: Olympus

America, Inc, Scholarship

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Valarie Waldmeier

(MSN), Sulphur, La; Certification

Boards, Inc, Scholarship

Shelly Young (BHS), Boise,

Idaho; 3M Health Care Scholarship

Not pictured are the following scholarship winners:

Charlotte Arras (MSN), Metairie, La, Maxxim Medical Scholarship; Timothy Beluscak (MSN), Jacksonville, Fla, Jerry G. Peers Scholarship; Anna Bums (MFNP), Rye Brook, NY, RNFA Scholarship; Melissa Bushnell (BSN),

Audubon, NJ, Valleylab, Inc, Scholarship; Debra Chassange (MSN), Carlsbad, Calif, Certification Boards, Inc, Scholarship; Maria Cordileone (BSN), San Diego, Zimmer, Inc, Scholarship; Lori Finch (BSN), Mt Clements, Mich, Certification Boards Endowment Scholarship; Lucille Gappen (BSN), Buffalo, TFX Surgical Group Scholarship; Charsie Good (BSN), Inola, Okla, Kendall-LTP Scholarship; Germaine Hough (MSHA), Yakima, Wash, Maxxim Medical Scholarship; Julie Hummer-Bellmyer (MSNWP), Livermore, Colo, Certification Boards, Inc, Scholarship; Deborah Jett-Stanton (BSN), Falling Waters, WV, Certification Boards, Inc, Scholarship; Katherine Mascot (BSN), Dearbom Heights, Mich, Connie Ryan Novice Nurse Scholarship; Julie McDonald (EMBA),

Killingworth, COM, TFX Surgical Group Scholarship; Ila Minnick (MSN), Caledonia, Ill, Kendall-LTP Scholarship; Alice Nix (BSN), Whitehouse, Tex, Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc, Scholarship; Mary Ellen O’Connell (BSN), Westwood, Mass, Dan Sandel Scholarship; Mary Oldak (MSNF’”), New Rochelle, NY, William A. Clarke Endowed Scholarship; Beverly Perfetuo (BSN), Rockland, Mass, Dan Sandel Scholarship; Kathleen Pietrzyk (BAS), Dexter, Ill, Kendall-LTP Scholarship; Denice Schroeder (BSN), Lincoln, Neb, United States Surgical Corp Scholarship; Gail Sebet (BSN), Westwood, Mass, Dan Sandel Scholarship; Patricia Tobey (BSN), Westfield, Mass, United States Surgical Corp Scholarship; Denise Walsh (BSN), Norwood, Mass, Kimberly- Clark Corp Scholarship; and Janice Warren (BSN), Belleair, Ha, TFX Surgical Group Scholarship. A

Elimination of Infections From Transfusions Being Studied Transmission of viral and bacterial infections may be eliminated in the future thanks to a new process under investigation at the University of Minnesota, St Paul, according to a Sept 25, 1999, press release from the university.

Researchers in a national study will treat patients who need a blood transfusion with a spe- cially treated platelet transfusion or a regular platelet concentrate. Patients will not know which blood cells they receive.

ralen, which is added to the blood before it is The treated blood will contain the chemical pso-

exposed to ultraviolet light. The light causes the chemical to bind to DNA and RNA, preventing the material from duplicating and removing the ability of viruses and bacteria to reproduce in blood products. The cells’ clotting function will remain unchanged. According to the release, if the trials are successful, the transfused platelets will perform their clotting function without the risk of transmitting disease.

Reducing Disease Transmission in Blood Transfusions (press release, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, Sept 25, 1999) 1-2.

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Documents

AORN Scholarship Board awards scholarships to 75 members