AORN Foundation announces 2004-2005 scholarship recipients

AORN Journal,  March, 2005  

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The AORN Foundation was established in 1991 to provide a means of supporting AORN members pursuing undergraduate and graduate education and research. Through the AORN Scholarship Committee, the Foundation awards significant funding to individuals who fulfill scholarship application requirements and are selected as recipients. In 2001, a new focus was established to help address the nursing shortage. As a result, scholarships for nursing students enrolled in educational programs leading to initial licensure as an RN are available separately from scholarships allocated for AORN members. In an effort to support perioperative nursing, the AORN Foundation provides a one-year student membership in AORN for nursing students who have been awarded a scholarship. This additional benefit has helped increase knowledge about the perioperative area for many nursing students.

Each year, AORN's President-elect selects the Scholarship Committee members and chair. Appointment to the committee is for one to two years, depending on the needs of the organization. The 2004-2005 Scholarship Committee members are Linda J. Timmons, RN, CNOR, chair; Jan A. Buker, RN, MSN, CNOR; Sharon L. Chappy, RN, MSN, CNOR; Terri Goodman, RN, PhD; and Rosemarie T. Schroeder, RN, BSN, CNOR.

Committee members are charged with reviewing each scholarship application in an objective manner using pre set criteria. There are a large number of applications, and the review process is an arduous one that each committee member takes very seriously. The criteria are specific, and committee members do not deviate from them. To ensure a fair appraisal for each applicant, committee members do not make exceptions for applicants who do not follow the specific standards outlined in the application.

All applications are only available on the AORN Foundation web site at http://www.aorn.org/foundation/scholar ships.asp. The postmark deadline for scholarship applications for the 20052006 academic year is May 1, 2005. Applications not postmarked by this date will not be accepted. Each committee member reviews the applications to verify that applicants have provided all the information requested, including his or her involvement in AORN on a local or national level, professional goals, grade point average, and financial need. Committee members assign a score based on the established criteria, and the Foundation liaison tallies all of the scores from the committee members. Awards are distributed based on committee discussion and rankings.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Below are key points each applicant should review before completing and submitting an application.

* Any applicant who does not meet the application requirements exactly will be disqualified.

* All applicants must be enrolled in an accredited program by the application deadline of May 1, 2005. Applicants who are enrolled in a program but who are not taking courses as of the deadline must submit a letter of acceptance. Applicants must provide proof that the program is accredited by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

* All submitted information must be typed or produced by word processing. No handwritten documents will be accepted. The application must be downloaded from AORN Online at http://www.aorn.org/foundation/scholarships.asp. It must be printed in its entirety and submitted according to the directions given; it may not be sent in by e-mail or fax.

* A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average is required at the time of application and must be maintained for payment of the scholarship.

* Applicants should not include anything that is not requested in the application. Submitting additional letters or information with the application will result in disqualification.

* Applicants should complete the application that is applicable to their program. AORN members who are not student members should use the bachelor's, master's, or doctorate application, not the student nurse application.

The application process is straightforward. Simply follow the instructions in the application and submit it on or before the deadline. Academic excellence, leadership, involvement in AORN on a local or national level, and clearly stated professional goals will be considered heavily in the scoring of the applications. For assistance in completing the application, contact Ingrid Bendzsa in the AORN Foundation office at (800) 755-2676 x 328 or by email at ibendzsa@aorn.org, or contact any member of the Scholarship Committee.

2004-2005 SCHOLARSHIPS

For the 2004-2005 academic year, 78 scholarships were awarded totaling $136,500. Money for these scholarships comes from corporations, individuals, chapters, and state councils. The AORN Foundation would like to thank all contributors who supported scholarships for the 2004-2005 academic year.

Endowed scholarships.

Contributors of endowed scholarships include the following companies, individuals, and organizations.