Tips for VA Pre and Postdoctoral Nurse Fellowship Applications

Maude Rittman, Ph.D., RNNorth Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health

SystemGainesville, FL

Jill E. Bormann, Ph.D., RNVA San Diego Healthcare System

San Diego, CA(created January 2007)

Information for Applicants Check VA’s web page at

http://www.va.gov/oaa/ Contact Dr. Mary B. Dougherty at

Mary.Dougherty@va.gov or (202) 461-9498

Overview:

Getting Started Writing VA Facility Information Applicant Information Training Program Presentation of the Application

Tips for Applicant Develop a clear understanding of

your strengths and goals Emphasize the significance of your

research within the VHA and for the veteran population

Start writing 3 months in advance and set early deadlines of drafts

Obtain assistance in writing, if needed

Getting Started Writing Review specifics in Program

Announcement and have a clear division of labor with mentor in writing application

Establish a core document using headings as specifically stated in guidelines

Use tables with columns for goals, activities, target dates, and faculty. This blueprint helps identify gaps in plan and that the plan is realistic.

VA Facility Information Facility Support – Clinical and patient

data, involvement of nurses in education, resources provided to applicant

Nursing Research – Facility’s accomplishments, list of nursing research studies, nursing publications, academic affiliations of nursing staff

VA Facility Information continued… List related areas of research at

facility Report funding for Nursing

Research and Other Research Present information that makes

your facility stand out in relation to your interests

Applicant Information Present strengths of applicant,

mentor, & project director—how they compliment each other

Emphasize how fellowship will extend applicant’s knowledge and skills in a specialized area of theory and research

Demonstrate commitment of affiliated academic institutions

Applicant Informationcontinued… Provide evidence that applicant

has potential to obtain grant funding after completing (postdoctoral) fellowship

Highlight strong match between applicant and mentor

Training Program Demonstrate plan for strong

collaboration between VA and affiliated university research team members

Emphasize the significance of research within the VHA

Demonstrate how applicant will remain active in VHA research after completion of fellowship

Training Plancontinued… Present clear goals and objectives that are

linked with specific knowledge, skills, and activities (see sample Program Curriculum in next slide)

Demonstrate how the training plan can be accomplished during period of fellowship

Include activities that will increase applicant’s understanding of VHA research system

Provide a specific, detailed evaluation plan

For Pre-Doc: Description of Proposed Dissertation Research

1. Title and Purpose(s) of the Study 2. Background/Preliminary Studies 3. Significance 4. Study Design/Methods 5. Proposed time line for completion of

each stage

(not to exceed 10 pages)

Sample of a Post-Doc Program Curriculum – Goal: Increase knowledge of outcomes measurement Learning objectives

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

Knowledge/Skills Skills of critiquing instruments used in outcomes research

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

Training Staff Faculty in Evaluation & Measurement Department Mentor, Dr. Smith

Example of Fellowship Evaluation Short Term Goal

Increase knowledge of health care economic 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

Presentation of the Application

Use a Cover Page Use Color Print Create Table of Contents

Thank you!