Nevada RNformation - December 2021

December 2021, January, February 2022 Nevada RNformation • Page 17
Nursing Fellow Designation
Susan S. VanBeuge, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP,
FAAN
Nursing fellowship is a distinction many nurses pursue
in their careers. There are different types of fellowships
available in the nursing community and healthcare. The
types of fellowships vary and may differ based on the kind
of practice a nurse is engaged in. As well, nurses may be
fellows in more than one organization or type.
A good place to start is in the definition of a nursing
fellowship. Fellowship in nursing is not the same as a postdegree
experience, such as a post-PhD graduate fellowship or a clinical fellowship
upon graduation from an academic institution. Instead, designation as a Fellow
is by invitation from an organization based on demonstration of professional
practice, outstanding contributions to the profession, and substantive honors.
Each organization has its criteria for those who apply and will be based on the
institution's mission, vision, and direction granting the fellow designation.
The types of fellowships include professional organizations, service, academic and
research, and specialty fellowships. This article focuses on the honorific fellowships
to recognize many types of nursing practice from organizations. Presented here
is not an exhaustive list but includes some common and highly recognized fellow
designations.
Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) was established in
1973 and has inducted approximately 2,900 Fellows since its inception. The
Fellows are described as “nursing leaders in education, management, practice and
research”. Invitation for fellowship is more than recognition, but an opportunity
and responsibility to give time, intellect, and energy to the Academy to engage in
the transformation of America's healthcare system (American Academy of Nursing,
2021).
The Academy of Nursing Education Fellow (ANEF) was established in 2007 and
is part of the National League for Nursing. Fellows inducted represent evidence
of leadership and contributions beyond their employed role. Contributions
include teaching, mentoring, scholarship, public policy, practice partnerships, and
administration (NLN, 2021).
The American Organization for Nursing Leadership (FAONL) announced its
inaugural group of fellows in 2019. Nurses who apply are expected to demonstrate
an evolution of leadership through contributions and innovation to nursing and
the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. In addition, this fellowship
designation recognizes a nurse leader's sustained contribution to nursing leadership,
commitment, and influence in shaping health care policy (AONL, 2021).
There are many specialty nursing fellowship organizations with a focus on
practice. Those highlighted below do not include all the opportunities, but they
highlight the various areas for nurses to earn the designation of Fellow.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP), established in 2000,
has approximately 874 inducted Fellows. Nurse practitioners (NP) with this Fellow
designation are recognized for their contributions to NP education, policy, clinical
practice or research, and developing future NP leaders (AANP, 2021).
The Fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nursing (FAEN) was established in
2004 and requires prolonged membership in the Emergency Nurse’s Association
and demonstrating enduring, substantial contributions to emergency nursing and
advancing the profession through visionary leadership (ENA, 2021).
Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM) was established in
1994 and requires that applicants be board certified by the American Midwifery
Board. This honor is awarded to midwives who demonstrate leadership, clinical
excellence, scholarship, and professional achievements both inside and outside of
the midwifery profession (ACNM, 2021).
The Fellow designation is not limited to nursing or specialty practice but may
include the opportunity for interprofessional and multidisciplinary associations.
Nurses work in collaboration with multiple professions as we provide care.
Fellowship in these broader associations demonstrates the essential need for health
care professionals to work alongside each other to improve health outcomes,
change policy, provide leadership, and infuse innovation to make change.
The National Academies of Practice Fellows (FNAP), founded in 1981, selects
Fellows for interdisciplinary groups of health care providers dedicated to issues from
allopathic medicine to nursing to veterinary medicine. For example, the nursing
group focuses on collaboration, leadership, advocacy, and establishing liaisons with
other health care disciplines to promote health care across the lifespan (NAP, 2021).
If you are considering a fellowship in an organization, look at their information
to determine the process and procedure. Most organizations require sponsorship
with another fellow in good standing. Review the application procedure to begin,
then do careful self-reflection on your skills, engagement, and outcomes that may
demonstrate the requirements for fellowship. This process of self-reflection is an
excellent way to chart out a path for professional development and an opportunity
to work with a colleague who may mentor you along this road. As you begin the
journey, network with other professionals, and start preparing for this opportunity.
As you prepare, remember that you are a success and that whether you are
accepted with your application or turned down the first time, this is not a reflection
of the person you are or the hard work you've done. It wasn't the right time. Being
turned down is another opportunity to reflect, regroup and resubmit.
Common themes presented in all the Fellow organizations noted are nursing
leadership, sustained commitment to our profession, innovation, and practice.
As you take inventory of your contributions to our profession, consider seeking
designation as a Fellow to have a seat at the table for crafting the future of nursing.
References:
American Academy of Nursing (2021). Downloaded from https://www.aannet.org/about/
fellows
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (2021). Downloaded from https://www.aanp.
org/membership/fellows-program/about-faanp
American College of Nurse-Midwives (2021). Downloaded from https://www.midwife.org/
General-Information-about-the-Fellowship
American Organization for Nursing Leadership (2021). Downloaded from https://www.
aonl.org/fellow-designation
Emergency Nurses Association (2021). Downloaded from https://www.ena.org/about/faen
National Academies of Practice (2021). Downloaded from https://www.napractice.org/
National League for Nursing (2021). Downloaded from http://www.nln.org/recognitionprograms/academy-of-nursing-education
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