Transcript Tips for VA Pre and Postdoctoral Nurse Fellowship Applications Maude Rittman, Ph.D., RN

Tips for VA Pre and
Postdoctoral Nurse
Fellowship Applications
Maude Rittman, Ph.D., RN
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System
Gainesville, FL
Jill E. Bormann, Ph.D., RN
VA San Diego Healthcare System
San Diego, CA
(created January 2007)
Information for Applicants
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Check VA’s web page at
http://www.va.gov/oaa/
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Contact Dr. Mary B. Dougherty at
[email protected] or
(202) 461-9498
Overview:
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Getting Started Writing
VA Facility Information
Applicant Information
Training Program
Presentation of the Application
Tips for Applicant
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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
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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
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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…
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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
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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 Information
continued…
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Provide evidence that applicant has
potential to obtain grant funding after
completing (postdoctoral) fellowship
Highlight strong match between
applicant and mentor
Training Program
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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 Plan
continued…
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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.
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5.
Title and Purpose(s) of the Study
Background/Preliminary Studies
Significance
Study Design/Methods
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
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Learning objectives
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Knowledge/Skills
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Skills of critiquing instruments used in outcomes research
Learning Experience
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Evaluate outcome measures commonly used in research with
HIV/AIDS patients
Course: Theory of Measurement & Evaluation
With mentor, critique selected outcome HIV measures
Training Staff
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Faculty in Evaluation & Measurement Department
Mentor, Dr. Smith
Example of Fellowship Evaluation
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Short Term Goal
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Performance Criteria
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Demonstrates understanding of health care economics
Integrates economic theory into design of HIV outcome studies
Evaluation Method
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Increase knowledge of health care economic
Successfully completes course & independent Study by (date)
Submits research proposal that incorporates economic theory
Evaluator
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Faculty in courses
Mentor
Presentation of the Application
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Use a Cover Page
Use Color Print
Create Table of Contents
Thank you!