IOM Nurse Scholar in Residence Program
Sponsored by AAN/ANF/ANA

This Scholar-in-Residence program provides a yearlong leadership opportunity in health policy at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM). It is designed as an immersion experience to facilitate nurse leaders engaging in a prominent role in health policy development at the national level and their interaction with other health fellows and scholars. The American Academy of Nursing (AAN), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) in partnership with the IOM support this program.

CRITERIA: Nurse scholars and nurse policy experts are encouraged to apply upon meeting the following criteria:
Membership in the AAN required and in the IOM preferred

• Congruence of health policy interest with the priorities of IOM and the AAN: see http://www.iom.edu/
• Personal potential for future contributions to health policy
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration
• Notable record of professional achievements that apply to Scholar’s emphasis
• Understanding of the importance of networking within the health policy community, identifying opportunities for nurse-leader engagement, and communication of those interactions and opportunities to sponsors

The major project while a scholar in the Program must include:

• A self-initiated study with policy consequences that builds on a current IOM initiative
• Direct interaction with AAN staff
• Direct interaction with ANA and ANF staff

Direct support for Scholars includes:

• An annual stipend of $75,000 (plus up to $5,000 for related expenses)
• Provision of an office at IOM with appropriate supports (e.g., computer, phone, access to a printer, access to software programs and library resources)
• An intensive two-month orientation in federal health policy formation.

Outcomes include:

• Willingness to be of assistance to IOM staff in area of expertise (e.g., recommending nurses for IOM committees or projects; conducting a brown-bag discussions);
• Policy-oriented papers in chosen area of study, to be submitted for refereed publication within six months of completion of scholarship, e.g., as part of an IOM report or as an article in the AAN journal Nursing Outlook
• Optional or alternative work products such as: providing testimony, participating in IOM workshops, sharing policy-related web sites with other nurses through the pages of Nursing Outlook
• An invitation to the Scholar’s final report at the IOM for AAN, ANA, and ANF leadership
• A report to the AAN, ANA and ANF Boards of activities and accomplishments within 60 days of scholar in residence completion.

TESTIMONIALS:
“This fellowship allowed me to formally pursue an area of interest not central to my academic research program…I would recommend it highly!” N.E. Reame

“I saw health care and health policy through the eyes of people outside the nursing profession. These perspectives, while disturbing at times, are critical to designing strategies that will better position nurses and nursing.” B. M. Jennings

“As a Scholar-in-Residence, I had so many opportunities open to me, and learned so much about the research-policy link.” A.B. McBride

Application Process:
Applicants must submit the following documents electronically to the American Academy of Nursing (see below):

1. A proposal (no more than five pages) describing how the applicant’s project dovetails with IOM initiatives, specific goals for the experience that will address some identified gap in knowledge, actions that will be undertaken to achieve those goals, publishable outcome(s) to be expected by the end of the program, and a proposed time table for the plan of study.
2. Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
3. The cover letter of application should include:
   • Information that complements the CV about the applicant’s interdisciplinary experiences, policy interests, and ability to complete the project and produce a policy-relevant paper
   • A statement of full-time commitment to the program
   • The names and addresses, including e-mail addresses, of two individuals who can speak to the applicant’s previous achievements, interdisciplinary and policy experiences, and ability to complete the project

REVIEW/SELECTION PROCESS: A panel that includes incumbent scholar (if available) and one previous policy nurse scholar (incumbent to chair), the Director of the IOM Scholars Program (or designee), and the Presidents of the AAN, ANA, and ANF (or designees) will review the applications. Applicants may be interviewed in person or by telephone if clarification is needed regarding fit of program with IOM objectives.

Questions? Please call Laura Thornhill at (202) 777-1178.