Nurses for Tomorrow Nursing Faculty Fellowship Academic Year OVERVIEW

Transcription

1 Nurses for Tomorrow Nursing Faculty Fellowship Academic Year OVERVIEW 1

2 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS x PURPOSE To spur innovation in the field of nursing education and invest in the careers of the most promising leaders in academic nursing, the Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Foundation Nursing Faculty Fellowship initiative will: Support progressive, mid-level career professional leaders in nursing education in the development and implementation of innovative nursing education models at their academic institutions. Recognize and foster the career development of the next generation of academic nursing leaders. Support reform in nursing education that has the capacity to improve: Inter-professional education / learning Health inequities / culturally competent care / address health disparities Integrated practice through interdisciplinary and/ or transdiciplinary approaches Integrated health education across the Life Course Perspective TOTAL AWARDS The IBC Foundation will award up to three Nursing Faculty Fellowships over two years. A total grant of up to $75,000 per year will be awarded to the sponsoring educational institution to cover up to 50% of the Fellow s total salary, plus $10,000 to support project costs (including travel). The second year of funding will be contingent upon the submission of an interim report by the Fellow, which must be reviewed and approved by the Advisory Committee. Key Dates June 8, 2012 Application deadline Mid-August 2012 Notification of finalists August 27 31, 2012 Finalist interviews End of September 2012 Notification of finalists and sponsoring institutions January 1, 2013 Fellowship appointment begins Inquiries For more information, please contact the IBC Foundation staff. Inquiries For more information, please contact the IBC Toll-free: Foundation IBC-FDTN ( ) Toll-free: IBC-FDTN ( ) 2

3 Program Overview BACKGROUND Innovation in nursing education According to the IOM Report on the Future of Nursing, most nursing schools are not providing nurses with the required competencies to meet all the changing health needs of the US population. Our health care system is evolving every day - and with it, science, technology, and patient demographics. Nursing education models must adapt in order to produce a workforce equipped with the skills to succeed in the current and future health care environment. As millions of Americans become eligible for health insurance through health care reform, nurses will be called upon to provide care to the newly insured diverse populations, many of whom may suffer from previously untreated complex medical conditions. In addition, nurses will increasingly be called upon to fill voids in primary care, specialty care (e.g. gerontology and mental health), and community healthcare. As a long-standing partner of the nursing profession, the IBC Foundation is committed to helping nursing institutions develop solutions that help bridge the gap between current education models and the needs of the health care system. To spur innovation in nursing education and invest in the careers of the most promising academic nursing leaders, the IBC Foundation will award up to three Nursing Faculty Fellowships, for exceptional nursing educators to pursue innovative projects in nursing education. The grant funds will be disbursed to the Fellow s sponsoring educational institution, which will be responsible for administering the grant. The Foundation is particularly interested in educational projects focused on one or more of the following: Inter-professional education / learning Health inequities / culturally competent care / addressing health disparities Integrated practice through interdisciplinary and/ or transdiciplinary approaches Integrated health education across the Life Course Perspective 3

4 Program Overview ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS To be considered for an IBC Foundation Nursing Faculty Fellowship, candidates must: Be a registered nurse and current faculty member in good standing at an accredited nursing school in one of the five southeastern Pennsylvania counties Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia. Have served as a nursing educator for a minimum of five years, preferably at the sponsoring nursing institution. Be nominated by the dean of nursing (only one candidate can be nominated from each nursing program). Have the support of the sponsoring institution to guarantee a commitment of at least 50% of the time to the fellowship project. Have an identified faculty mentor who has agreed to advise the candidate on his or her educational innovation project. Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its territories. Candidates cannot be related by blood or marriage to an officer or director of the IBC Foundation or a member of the Advisory Committee.* *Specifically, the following are considered disqualified persons: an officer, director, organizer of, or substantial contributor to the IBC Foundation, a member of the Advisory Committee, any spouse, ancestors, siblings, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren (and the spouses of siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren) of such disqualified persons, and any other person deemed to be a "disqualified person" under applicable Treasury Regulations. FELLOWSHIP OBLIGATIONS Time Commitment At least 50% protected time dedicated to Fellowship activities / project. Exact percentage of time will be based on percentage of salary supported by the Fellowship grant. Two year commitment (year two will be awarded based on year one review). Required reports Interim Progress Report (end of year one). Final Grant Report (end of year two) detailing all activities, including all publications. Additionally, Nursing Faculty Fellows are expected to: Disseminate findings in varied contexts both nationally and internationally. Publish papers in peer-reviewed journals. Commit to participate in Fellowship network. Attend future events / develop / serve as mentor to future Faculty Fellowship recipients. 4

5 Program Overview SELECTION CRITERIA The Fellowship selection process includes an assessment of the following factors: Merit of the proposed educational project and its potential to impact existing models of nursing education. Potential for other organizations to replicate the model or utilize the findings produced. Candidate s demonstrated record of achievement, leadership, and innovation in nursing education. Confirmation of strong institutional support for the proposed project and for the work of the candidate. Evidence that that the nominating institution promotes and supports innovation in nursing education. SELECTION PROCESS All completed applications will be reviewed by an independent Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will be responsible for the selection of finalists. If selected as a finalist, you will be required to interview with the Advisory Committee the week of August 27 31, The names of finalists will be submitted to the Foundation Board for final approval. All finalists, along with the nominating institutions, will be notified of the determination by the end of September Selected fellows and the sponsoring institutions will be required to enter into a grant agreement with the foundation. The Fellowship appointment will begin January 1, ADVISORY COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONS The Advisory Committee is composed of individuals representing the following organizations: Hartford Institute for Geriatrics Independence Blue Cross Independence Foundation National League for Nursing National Nursing Centers Consortium The Advisory Committee will not consider and will not discriminate against any applicants based on race, religion, sex, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or sexual orientation. 5

6 Program Overview HOW TO APPLY The IBC Foundation is currently accepting applications for the Nursing Faculty Fellowship. Applicants will be required to submit an application form along with the following materials: 1. Current Curriculum Vitae. 2. Nomination letter from the head of the nursing department / nursing dean. 3. Letter of support from the candidate s nursing faculty mentor that includes a commitment to advise the candidate throughout the fellowship project. 4. Statement of candidate s career objectives and goals for the Fellowship. 5. Narrative description of the educational project to be undertaken. Additional information may be requested by the Foundation, and additional standards for applications may be established or deadlines extended, as necessary to satisfy legal requirements. To access the Nursing Faculty Fellowship application and instructions, please visit the IBC Foundation website. 6