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 Curriculum or (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!