Information and Application

The Rheumatology Nurses Society (RNS) Conference Scholarship Program (CSP) exists to enable nurses working in rheumatology and related fields to advance their knowledge in the areas of rheumatic disorders, nursing research, education, and current issues in nursing.

The activities described in the Scholarship Application Form must be consistent with the objectives of the conference, which are to:

1. To foster collaboration and leverage the unique roles and responsibilities of interprofessional collaboration with partners to appropriately assess and address the health care needs of rheumatology patients as well as their families and social/cultural networks.
2. To highlight the various team roles to deliver patient/population-centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable.
3. To guide the process of working together across the professions, with other health care workers, and with patients, along with families and communities, as appropriate to improve health outcomes in rheumatology patients.
4. To examine the latest research and evidence-based practices in rheumatology in order to further define and develop the specialty practice of rheumatology nursing.
5. To network with colleagues and experts.

The CSP was developed to ensure equal access to the conference by all individuals who have demonstrated experience and/or the potential to become active in rheumatology nursing practice and education in their communities.

The goals of the CSP are to:

• Provide an opportunity for individuals to attend the conference regardless of their personal access to resources.
• Support diversity among conference attendees.
• Foster networking and community-building at the conference.
• Allow all dimensions and perspectives of Rheumatology nursing, research, education, and service to be represented in presentations, discussions, and informal networking.
• Ensure that scholarship recipients have information to share with their communities following the conference.
• Provide a safe environment for sharing and renewal of energy and commitment to work in rheumatology nursing

Eligibility:

The candidate must:

• Must be an RNS member in good standing
• Must include an individual submission as suggested by but not limited to the criteria listed below for possible dissemination through RNS publication(s), email, and/or other social sites
• Must attend all three days of the conference, including the Presidential Dinner, so that you may be recognized
• Must not have received any previous year’s RNS scholarships

Special consideration is given to applicants who have never attended an RNS conference.

Applicants will not be reimbursed for expenses for which they receive funding from their employer or other source

Scholarship recipients will receive:

• A complimentary conference registration (a refund will be issued if you already registered for the conference)
• Hotel accommodations for up to four nights
• A check for $200.00 to be presented at the President’s Dinner that will be held on Friday, August 5th from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Criteria for Scholarship consideration:

All submissions must include:

(1) Completion of the Scholarship Application (download below) which includes a brief written explanation, no more than one paragraph, of how you intend to share information from the conference with your unit, colleagues, or work group.

AND IN ADDITION 

(2) Applicants must choose from one of the following Project suggestions or submit for approval an original idea.  This list is not all inclusive as applicants are encouraged to come up with creative alternatives. ALL ideas must be approved in advance of completion.  Once we receive your application we will give approval, feedback, and/or suggestions on your alternative idea.

• Achievement in scholastic, and/or leadership initiatives to make students aware of the potential for success through the continued pursuit of education of rheumatology nursing.  Educational programs on Rheumatology Nursing and/or Service Projects are acceptable in narrative (short paper) or poster format.
• Evidence of an opportunity to improve a program or activity related to rheumatology nursing in an office practice, academic, clinic/out-patient, hospital/acute care or community setting. Can be flow-sheets, information sheets, standards of practice, policies and procedures, letters, and other items you have created to improve your practice setting, advocate on behalf of your patients, train novice staff, educate patients/caregivers/significant others, or data capture information to validate the need/cost effectiveness of the rheumatology nurse.
• Demonstrate active involvement in professional or community service activities related to the rheumatology patient.
• Present a formal abstract on an issue you feel is important to advance rheumatology nursing practice.

Applications will be reviewed and rated by an ad hoc committee.

The information received in this application will be held in the strictest confidence and used only to evaluate the application for eligibility, representation, and compatibility with conference objectives. All personal information will be removed before the application is reviewed by the Scholarship Review Committee.

Scholarship recipients will be notified by July 8, 2011.  If you have any questions about this program or the application process, contact the RNS National Office at 800-380-7081.

Download Scholarship Application Form