The John Dystel Nursing Fellowships in MS Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

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1 The John Dystel Nursing Fellowships in MS Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Background Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), the John Dystel Nursing Fellowship Program in MS is a training opportunity for nurses to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to provide the highest quality of specialized MS nursing care. Consistent with its mission to end the devastating effects of MS, the Society supports the professional development and training of healthcare providers in the comprehensive care of people with MS. This program provides the nursing fellow with the opportunity to practice under the tutelage of an MS nursing expert in a specialized MS clinical setting. The experience is designed to facilitate the acquisition of skills and knowledge necessary to practice as an MS nurse specialist. Objectives The National MS Society offers two options for John Dystel Nursing Fellows: After completing the 6-month program, the fellow will have gained the experience and skills necessary to: 1. Provide high quality, comprehensive nursing care to patients with MS. 2. Become a future leader and active participant in the MS clinical community. For example, volunteers with the National MS Society (as a Clinical Advisory Committee member, Chapter Programs Committee member), speaks at chapter-sponsored educational events, acts as a mentor to nursing students, enhances MS care at his/her clinical setting, participates in related professional associations, e.g., International Organization of MS Nurses (IOMSN). 3. Obtain certification as an MS nurse specialist by passing the IOMSN exam.

2 Three-Month Nursing Fellowship After completing the 3-month program, the fellow will have gained the experience and skills necessary to: 1. Perform basic assessments and interventions involved in the nursing management of MS. 2. Pursue work as an MS nurse specialist. 3. Prepare for the IOMSN certification exam. Components of Training 1. Direct, supervised nursing care of MS patients (50% at minimum). 2. Exposure to the interdisciplinary healthcare team and activities: physical medicine and rehabilitation, nursing, nutrition, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social services, clinical and cognitive psychology, neurology, vocational rehabilitation and neuroimaging, e.g., MRI. 3. Participation in MS didactic activities such as self-study, attending lectures, professional meetings, seminars, or workshops. Meets with NMSS chapter programs director and attends NMSS chapter-sponsored support/education programs. Eligibility An RN license is required. The preferred candidate will hold a bachelor s degree. Mentor and Institution It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange the proposed training with an appropriate mentor and institution before applying. It is the expectation that the mentor will provide adequate supervision and training to achieve the objectives of the program, including supervised patient care, case management, and teaching. Length of Fellowship The National MS Society offers two options for John Dystel Nursing Fellows: The length of this fellowship is six months (960 hours). Ideally, arrangements should be made to complete the training in a six-month continuous period. However, other arrangements that spread the 960 hours of training over a period of six to twelve months may be considered.

3 Three-Month Nursing Fellowship The length of this fellowship is three months (480 hours). Ideally, arrangements should be made to complete the training in a three-month continuous period. However, other arrangements that spread the 480 hours of training over a period of three to six months may be considered. Certification and Acknowledgement of Completion Upon completion of the required number of hours and a satisfactory evaluation, a certificate will be provided to the fellow acknowledging his/her participation in the program. In the 6-month option, the fellow is expected to sit for the IOMSN certification examination, offered by Professional Testing Service, upon completion of the fellowship. Following successful certification by the IOMSN, the fellow will be reimbursed the amount paid for the examination registration. Evaluation The mentor is required to submit a brief monthly progress report regarding the fellow s activities. Upon completion of the program, the mentor will evaluate the fellow via a written evaluation submitted to the NMSS, and conduct a performance review meeting with the fellow. In addition, the fellow will formally evaluate the mentor and the training program via a written evaluation submitted to the NMSS. The NMSS will conduct follow-up surveys with the fellow to determine long-term outcomes of the program. Timeline Application forms and instructions are available on the National MS Society website at Information may also be obtained from Alicia Soto by phone: or alicia.soto@nmss.org. Completed applications, including all required supporting documents, must be received at the Society by February 11, Notification of award will take place by April 21, Generally, fellowships will begin June 2, 2008; however, the Society will consider other proposed start dates. Application The applicant and the mentor must submit an application, using the form provided, that will include: 1. A description of the proposed program of training that meets the required components of training specified in this document. NOTE: Applicant must specify whether he/she is seeking the three or six-month option and describe how his/her goals will be met in the allotted time.

4 2. The academic qualifications and professional licensure for both the fellow and mentor. 3. A brief account of the nature of the ongoing activities within the mentor's clinical setting, especially as they relate to the proposed program of training. 4. Three letters of recommendation. Interview When requested by the Society, each applicant must agree to be interviewed (by telephone) by a member of the John Dystel Nursing Fellowship Advisory Committee or its designee. Stipend The stipend offered for this option is $44,000, payable to the sponsoring institution. The stipend includes the fellow's salary, benefits and participation in education activities; a $4,000 honorarium for the mentor; and administrative/indirect costs (not to exceed 10% of the award). Three-Month Nursing Fellowship The stipend offered for this option is $22,500, payable to the sponsoring institution. The stipend includes the fellow s salary, benefits, participation in educational activities; a $2,500 honorarium for the mentor; and indirect/administrative costs (not to exceed 10% of the award). Change in Terms of the Award Any change to the conditions of an award, including a change in the training plan or the level of activity by the fellow or mentor, requires prior approval by the Society. Failure to notify the Society will be considered grounds for revocation of the fellowship award. Transfer of a Fellowship Award The transfer of an award from one institution to another along with transfer of the fellow cannot be made without prior approval in writing by the Society. A new application face sheet will be required from, and must be approved by, the new institution. Change of Mentor If the fellow s mentor becomes unable to continue the supervision of the fellow s training, a replacement may be named by the sponsoring institution pending approval by the Society. However, in the event that the fellow is unable to continue with the training, the fellowship award is non-transferable.

5 Personnel Policies Fellows are not considered employees of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, but rather of the primary institution where the training is provided. The fellowship is to be administered in accordance with the prevailing policies of the sponsoring institution, including vacation days, sick leave, holidays, etc. Termination of Fellowship Whenever a fellow or a mentor elects to terminate a fellowship on a date prior to that indicated in the letter of award, the Society must be notified immediately in writing of the action taken. Grounds for revocation of the fellowship will be deemed to exist: 1. If a mentor requests in writing that the fellowship be terminated because of unsatisfactory performance by the fellow; 2. If a fellow requests in writing that the fellowship be terminated for any reason; 3. If the fellow's mentor becomes unable to continue the supervision of the fellow's training and a replacement acceptable to the Society is not named; 4. If the fellow changes any aspect of the award from that which was originally approved by the Society, including the mentor, the department, and/or the institution without prior notification and approval by the Society; 5. When reports of progress are not received from both the mentor and the fellow within one month of the date due; or 6. For a cause established by due process of law, or because of an institutional review committee's determination of fraud or malfeasance. Publications In the event the fellow publishes an article based on his/her experience in the John Dystel Multiple Sclerosis Nursing Fellowship Program, the fellow is expected to send to the NMSS two preprints and reprints of each publication. As soon as a manuscript is accepted for publication, a copy should be sent by mail or fax ( ) to Dr. Nancy Holland, NMSS, 733 Third Avenue, NY, NY (or to nancy.holland@nmss.org) accompanied by the name of the journal and the probable date of publication. Manuscripts and preprints will be respected as privileged communications. Support should be acknowledged by a footnote on the publication indicating that the work that informed the publication was supported by the John Dystel Nursing Fellowship in MS sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.