AORN Scholarship Board awards scholarships to 75 members - Association of periOperative Nurses

AORN Journal, Nov, 1999

Some 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

There are five categories of funds: scholarship awards, research grants, institution grants, education grants, and leadership funding. These are available to individual AORN members and to AORN chapters. The Foundation receives some donations that are not designated for specific purposes. These general donations are placed in the funds where they are needed the most.

Scholarship awards. 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 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, master's, or doctoral degrees. Novice nurse scholarships are intended for perioperative nurses with fewer than five years of nursing experience who are pursuing bachelor's or master's degrees.

Research grants. AORN offers a multilevel research grant program, designed to support the development of nurse researchers and to contribute to the scientific knowledge of perioperative nursing practice. The program recognizes that research skills are developed through education and experience. Nurses interested in conducting research develop their expertise as they progress through professional nursing education programs; research opportunities that are commensurate with their education are supported through the AORN Research Grant Program. This multilevel trajectory 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 provides 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 represent the spectrum of research interests, from individual chapter projects to multisite collaborative investigations. Grants to support research at the following levels are available.

Senior scientist. This grant allots funds for the experienced nurse researcher to complete investigator-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 scientist. 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 associate. 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.

Novice researcher. This grant allots funds for the 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 given to a maximum of $1,000.

Education grants. 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 distributed equally (ie, 15 grants per year) among chapters of various sizes (ie, small, 50 members or less; medium, 51 to 150 members; intermediate, 151 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.

Institutional grants. The purpose of an institutional grant is to assist institutions that have missions 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 compensation, staff special benefits (eg, education), or supplies and materials. Checks will be made payable to the institution and not to individuals. Grant recipients must submit a final report of the project, preferably one that may be considered for publication.