What is perioperative nursing?
Perioperative nursing is otherwise known as surgical or operating room nursing. AORN recognizes the "perioperative nurse" as one who provides, manages, teaches, and/or studies the care of patients undergoing operative or other invasive procedures in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of the patient's surgical experience. Perioperative nurses work on the surgical front lines, so no one is better qualified or has the capacity to advocate for and ensure patient safety in the surgical setting.

What is the role of a perioperative nurse?
Perioperative nursing is a specialized area of nursing practice. As a fundamental member of the surgical team, the perioperative registered nurse works in collaboration with other health care professionals which may include the surgeon, circulating nurse, anesthesia provider, surgical assistant, and other assistive personnel.

NOTE: student applicants may not use these definitions alone to complete their essay question; you must investigate this topic more if you are unfamiliar with this field of nursing.

Do I have to be interested in the field of perioperative nursing to be eligible to apply?
Because we are the member association for perioperative nurses, the Scholarship Committee would like to see some interest in this specialized field.

Are high school students eligible to apply?
The Scholarship Committee does not award scholarships to high school students who are just entering college. Because we have a limited amount of funding each year, the committee feels that it is best to award advanced nursing students (those who have completed all of the pre-requisites and are in the actual nursing major). Students at this advanced stage of their academic career are probably more likely to stay in the field of nursing because of the time they have already invested; therefore, the AORN Scholarship Committee feels their scholarship funds are best applied. Secondly, the Scholarship Committee needs to see the results of your academic work in courses related to nursing. Typically, the further along in your program you are, the more likely you have taken courses directly related to the nursing major (instead of core curriculum courses such as math, english, or government). The committee can see your progress and success in the classes directly related to nursing.

Are international students eligible to apply?
Yes.

What does it mean to be "enrolled at the time of application"?
You must be actively taking courses at the time of application (as of June 15). You may be taking a pre-requisite course in the spring, but you must be accepted into the actual nursing major for the fall. As long as you will have completed your pre-requisites prior to fall entrance, you could be eligible. As a student nurse, if you already hold a BS/BA in another field, you may have satisfied the pre-requisites for your program according to our criteria. If you need clarification, check with the nursing advisor at your school about the status of your program.

How can I be sure if my program is accredited?   
Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective nurses.

What if I've lost my original letter of acceptance into my program?
The nursing program department or your academic advisor may have the original in your file that they could copy for you. If the original letter cannot be located, you will need to ask your department chair or academic advisor to recreate a letter for you.

Why does the committee need to see my transcript?
The committee evaluates your past performance in your classes. If AORN is going to invest in a student's career, evidence of past academic success is helpful. We need a copy of your transcript to assure good standing at the academic institution.

What if I have been out of school for an extended period of time? What transcripts do I submit?
You need to submit all  transcripts from academic programs in which you were previously enrolled since all of them likely contribute to meeting the pre-requisites for nursing school.

How much does the Scholarship Committee award?
Each committee member reviews the applications to verify that all information requested has been provided, including the individual's involvement in AORN on a local or national level, his or her professional goals, grade point average, and financial need and assigns a score based on the established criteria. Academic excellence, leadership, involvement in AORN on a local or national level, and clearly stated professional goals will be considered heavily in the scoring of the applications. The Scholarship Committee typically awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000. Awards vary annually depending on the funding provided by scholarship contributors.

Is the scholarship award based on financial need?
Awards are not based on financial need. 

What expenses does the scholarship cover?
Allowable expenses covered by the AORN Foundation scholarships are tuition charges, related fees, and the cost of books. The scholarship does not cover any other expenses such as parking fees, uniforms, paper, shoes, mileage, or gas to clinical sites, etc.

When will I receive my scholarship?
Scholarships are awarded at the beginning of the academic semester (late August). The next funding period for the scholarship program will cover classes starting on or after July 1, 2009 and starting on or before June 30, 2010. The scholarship is paid at the END of the academic year. The committee must see that you have maintained a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for the funding year. Awards are typically mailed out by July or August at the end of the term (depending on when materials are received from the recipient). Students graduating in the fall or winter terms may submit their paperwork earlier for reimbursement. See application forms for more details.

Who is eligible to apply?
Nursing Student-The applicant must be enrolled at the time of application in an accredited program as a nursing major for the 2009-2010 academic year (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010). Acceptance into a pre-nursing program only does not qualify; applicant must have completed program pre-requisites. The applicant must be in a program leading to initial licensure as an RN. The applicant must possess an interest in the field of perioperative/surgical nursing. This interest and/or experience must be clearly demonstrated in the personal statement.

Baccalaureate-The applicant must be enrolled at the time of application in an accredited baccalaureate degree program in nursing for the 2009-10 academic year (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010). The applicant must have a current license to practice as a registered nurse and must have a commitment to perioperative nursing. The applicant must have a current AORN membership by application deadline date (June 15, 2009).

Master's-The applicant must be enrolled at the time of application in an accredited master's degree program in nursing or in an accredited master's degree program in another discipline for the 2009-10 academic year (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010). The applicant must have a current license to practice as a registered nurse and must have a commitment to perioperative nursing. The applicant must have a current AORN membership by application deadline date (June 15, 2009).

Doctoral-The candidate must be enrolled at the time of application in a doctoral program in an accredited university for the 2009-10 academic year (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010). The applicant must have a current license to practice as a registered nurse and must have a commitment to perioperative nursing. The applicant must have a current AORN membership by application deadline date (June 15, 2009).

When can I apply?
The deadline for application for 2009-2010 scholarships has passed. Applications for the 2010-2011 scholarship awards will be available online as of January 1, 2010.

How do I get an application?
Applications for the 2010-2011 scholarship awards will be available online as of January 1, 2010. 

Is the deadline a postmark date or does it need to be in the scholarship administrator's office by this date?
The deadline for the program was a postmark date (June 15).

Can I send in the application materials after the indicated deadline?
No. All scholarship applications must be postmarked by the indicated postmark deadline.

What are the selection criteria?
The selection of winners is based on academics/transcripts, essay, and accurate completion of the Scholarship Competition application.

What are the details of the award?
The number and amounts of the award will be determined annually.

How do I know that my application was received?
To check the status of your application, return to https://www.applyists.net/ and click the 'Check Application Status' link. Enter your AIN, first name, and last name. Then click Submit. If you did not apply online and you filled out a hard copy application, please send an email by going to: https://www.applyists.net/EmailRequestForm.asp using the access key AORN.

What if I need to make changes to my application?
Return to https://www.applyists.net/ and click the 'APPLY for a new scholarship' link. Using Login Option 2, enter your access key (AORN), Application Identification Number, and name to re-enter the application process. Click Continue on each tab until you reach the section that needs to be corrected or updated. Make changes as necessary and print a new Cover Page for your records. You do not have to resubmit paperwork unless there is a change in test scores or class rank and/or size prior to the postmark deadline.

How long before a winner is determined?
Winner(s) will be notified around mid August.

When do I get my check?
Award checks will be mailed to the recipient at the end of the 2009-10 academic year.

How do you issue the checks?
Scholarship checks are made payable to the recipient.

If I'm a winner, how am I notified?
AORN and SPA will notify winners. Official award letters will be mailed to winners around mid August.

If I don't win a scholarship, how am I notified?
SPA will send notification letters to applicants who were not named as winners around late August.

Can I receive feedback on my application if I do not win?
Winners are selected by an impartial selection committee and decisions of the selection committees are final and are not subject to appeal. If you are not chosen and would like to receive feedback to apply for the next academic year, you may contact AORN Foundation 800-755-2676.

What if my mailing or college information changes; how can I update it?
If after the program deadline you need to change or update your mailing or email address and/or college information ONLY, you can do so by returning to https://www.applyists.net/ and clicking the 'Edit Mailing Address' or 'Edit College Information' link. Enter your AIN, first name, and last name. Click the 'Submit' button and make the necessary changes.

Are scholarships taxable?
Tax laws vary by country. For example, in the United States, scholarship funds used exclusively for the payment of tuition or textbooks are normally not taxable. The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against your scholarship award. We recommend consulting your tax advisor for more guidance.

Where do I send my completed application packet?
Mail your complete application packet with all supporting documents postmarked by the appropriate deadline listed on the cover page to:

The AORN Foundation Scholarship Program
c/o ISTS
P.O. Box 23737
Nashville, Tennessee 37202-3737

Questions
For additional information regarding the scholarship program, contact:

ISTS
Fax:  615-320-3151
Email:  https://www.applyists.net/EmailRequestForm.asp
Access Key:  AORN