VA Nurse Fellowships

Now that you are funded .

. .

Deborah Finnell, DNS, APRN,BC, NPP, CARN-AP

Jill Bormann, PhD, RN

(created January 2007)

Tips Not all VA’s are familiar with the

VA Nurse Fellowship Program

The “Program Director” will serve as liaison for you, the VA facility, and affiliated university personnel.

You may need to be “pro-active” to get your status and application in place.

Tips Organize the ‘business end’ of the

fellowship by keeping files, such as:

Award Memorandum of the Office of Academic Affiliations

Letter of confirmation of appointment from local VA

Notification of Personnel Action

Human Resource records: AL-Annual Leave, SL-Sick Leave, AA-

Authorized Absence

Form 52: Request for Personnel Action

Determine who initiates this form at your VA (e.g., Nursing Research Director, Nursing Education Director, Nurse Executive)

Appointment codes are designated in the award letter. These include:

Series, title, and assignment codes Pay plan Grade & Step Sub-account number

Form 52: Request for Personnel Action

Near the end of the first year, the local Office of Nursing Services (ONS) initiates another Form 52 to increase the per annum stipend rate for the following year. 

Benefits

Awardee is eligible to participate in the health and life insurance programs (pro-rated basis, if part-time).

Annual and sick leave is earned based on full-time or part-time status, not for intermittent status.

Develop Your Program Curriculumor (for pre-docs, your dissertation)

Learning Objectives Learning Experiences Evaluation Training Staff

Example of Program Curriculum – Goal: Increase knowledge of outcomes measurement Learning Objectives

Evaluate outcome measures commonly used in research with HIV/AIDS patients

Learning Experiences Course: Theory of Measurement & Evaluation With mentor, critique selected outcome HIV measures

Evaluation Demonstrates skill of critiquing instruments used in

outcomes research. Training Staff

Faculty in Evaluation & Measurement Department Mentor, Dr. Smith

Fellowship Evaluation Report

A first year evaluation report as outlined in the program announcement must be submitted to OAA/14.

Reports are initiated by awardee with a section completed by the Program Director and Mentors.

Example of Fellowship Evaluation Short Term Goal

Increase knowledge of health care economics Performance Criteria

Demonstrates understanding of health care economics Integrates economic theory into design of HIV outcome studies

Evaluation Method Successfully completes course & independent study by (date) Submits research proposal that incorporates economic theory

Evaluator Faculty in courses Mentor

Take the initiative

Set up regular meetings with your Mentors and Program Director

Be realistic with your goals

Don’t make assumptions—always check things out and follow-through.

Develop a VA Research Career Plan Discuss VA Career Development

Award application

Prepare grant applications – consider VA Nursing Research Initiative (NRI) or National Institutes of Health (NIH) sources for major funding

Explore VA research positions

Congratulations and Good Luck!