2010-2011 SCHOLARSHIPS - APPLY TODAY! 

Scholarship Testimonial

 

The academic scholarship I was awarded means so much to me. It helps me believe that others see the same potential I see in myself. Sometimes one loses sight of it, and recognition from friends and supporters is crucial.

For the past three years, I have been taking classes toward an advanced degree in nursing. However, this year, with the support of the Dennis R. Scanlan Memorial Scholarship, I have been able to go back to school full-time to pursue my dream.

I have worked in the OR as a Certified Surgical Technologist for over seven years, and while I have learned so much and greatly enjoyed this position, I always intended to advance my learning. Without financial support from organizations like the AORN Foundation, those hopes may not have become my reality.

Since receiving the scholarship, I have become a member of AORN and a donor to the AORN Foundation. I strongly believe organizations like AORN help create a community and bring legitimacy to our field that does not always get the recognition it deserves.

This country is hurting for health care workers, and I believe my degree will help position me to better serve my patients and support myself. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, and thank you for supporting the nurses of the future.

Sincerely,

Lynne Nichols

Donor Testimonial

A Circle of Giving

In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.    

–Anonymous

Over the years, as perioperative nurses, we have benefited in one way or another from the educational opportunities and tools which have helped shape the way we practice nursing. Many of these opportunities were provided as a result of funding from our AORN Foundation. I am reminded daily what an essential role the AORN Foundation has in our continued success. 

A short time ago, a family member of mine had a minor surgical procedure. As I sat with them prior to surgery, I was pleased to see our Recommended Practices, as well as the Correct Site Surgery Tool Kit being utilized.  This tool kit was provided at no cost to facilities for improved patient safety, and was made possible by funding from the AORN Foundation. My family directly benefited, as have countless others. Thank you.

The Scholarship Committee, through the AORN Foundation, has awarded over a million dollars to more than eight hundred perioperative nurses and nursing students. Many of you reading this have benefited from these very scholarships. These scholarships made additional education possible, helped advance a career, or maybe even fulfilled the dream to get a degree or complete graduate work. Whatever the reason, patient care improved as a result of funding from the AORN Foundation. Let us not forget.

This year has been a significant challenge for many of our colleagues who may have seen a reduction in force, seen their position eliminated or, in some cases, seen their facility close. The AORN Foundation established a limited number of one-time partial grants for those that were having trouble paying their AORN dues as a result of economic turbulence. This is another example of The AORN Foundation directly helping our members.

Please join me in making a commitment to donate to our AORN Foundation. We have all received support in one way or another from the AORN Foundation. 

Let us all make the circle complete and continue to help those that care for others.

Peter Graves, RN, BSN, CNOR
AORN Board of Directors