Fellowship FAQs

A fellowship is an honorary professional designation acknowledging exceptional accomplishments and sustained contributions to a profession.

A Fellow of AORN (FAORN) is recognized as a perioperative nurse leader who has made significant and ongoing contributions to the perioperative profession and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Additionally, fellows have demonstrated a commitment to practice that extends beyond the local setting to make a sustainable impact on perioperative patient care regionally and nationally and/or internationally. As a FAORN, fellows demonstrate that their education and training, professional qualifications, and contributions to the perioperative profession have passed a rigorous evaluation and are consistent with the high standards established by AORN.

The Award for Excellence (AfE) and the FAORN designation recognize different types of professional achievement within perioperative nursing.

The AfE is AORN's highest individual award and recognizes a perioperative nurse who has demonstrated excellence across multiple areas of perioperative nursing practice, education, leadership, and research. The award is limited in number, and recipients are selected annually by the AORN Award for Excellence Committee.

In contrast, the FAORN designation is an honorary professional recognition acknowledging sustained and significant contributions to AORN and perioperative nursing within a focused area of expertise, including clinical practice, education, administration/leadership, or research/evidence-based practice (EBP).

A requirement for acceptance is that candidates hold an active membership in the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) for two years total at the time of application.

Applicants must hold at least one of the following degrees in nursing: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, and must hold a master's degree or higher.

The honorary designation of fellowship conveys expertise, commitment, and standing within the profession. Completion of a master's degree or higher demonstrates ongoing professional development, advanced learning, and preparation consistent with other professional fellowship programs.

Yes. The master's degree does not need to be in nursing provided the applicant holds at least one nursing degree (eg, BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD). Applicants may pursue graduate education in disciplines that support or complement their professional goals and area of expertise.

Yes. A DNP meets the educational requirement.

Yes, all Fellow of AORN (FAORN) applicants must hold a nationally recognized current or emeritus certification in nursing.

Yes. Nationally recognized emeritus certifications in nursing are acceptable.

Applicants should demonstrate contributions and professional impact beyond the local level before applying for the fellowship. Although contributions may begin locally, the FAORN designation recognizes perioperative nurses whose work has demonstrated broader, sustained impact at the state, regional, national, and/or international levels.

No. There is no limit to the number of individuals who may apply for fellowship each year.

No. Individuals who hold fellowship status in other organizations must still complete the FAORN application and review process.

Yes. Current members of the AORN Board of Directors and current members of the Fellow Selection Committee (FSC) are not eligible to apply for fellowship during their tenure. AORN staff members are eligible to apply for fellowship during their employment.

Fellow of AORN (FAORN) sponsors guide applicants through the development of a complete and competitive fellowship application. FAORN sponsors provide candid feedback regarding fellowship readiness, application quality, clarity of narratives, and alignment between the applicant's curriculum vitae (CV) and supporting materials. The FAORN application process requires one FAORN Sponsor Letter of Support (500-word limit) from a FAORN in good standing.

Please visit the Sponsors webpage for a list of potential FAORN sponsors and their contact information.

Applicants are encouraged to initiate a professional dialogue with prospective sponsors. This process allows applicants an opportunity to introduce themselves, discuss their professional contributions, and share relevant application materials, such as draft narratives and a CV. FAORN sponsors may require sufficient information and interaction to determine whether they can appropriately support and sponsor an applicant.

There is no formal limit to the number of applicants a FAORN sponsor may support. Individual FAORN sponsors determine the number of applicants they can support based on their availability, workload, and ability to provide meaningful guidance throughout the application process.

The FAORN Sponsor Letter should verify, support, and expand upon the applicant's professional contributions to perioperative nursing and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Letters should provide specific examples and objective evidence demonstrating the significance, sustainability, and impact of the applicant's work.

Yes. Letters of support are limited to 500 words, excluding the salutation, closing, and signature.

Yes. All individuals listed as sponsors have confirmed their willingness to be contacted regarding potential sponsorship opportunities.

A Professional Sponsor is an individual who provides a letter of support affirming the applicant's professional contributions, leadership, and impact on perioperative nursing. This letter should originate from an individual who is familiar with the applicant's work and professional accomplishments.

Yes. Because perioperative nurses practice in a variety of settings, the Professional Sponsor Letter may be written by a nurse leader, physician, administrator, or other professional leader who is familiar with the applicant's work and can attest to the impact of that work on perioperative nursing and/or AORN. The individual does not need to be the applicant's direct supervisor.

The letter should be written by an individual who is familiar with your professional contributions to perioperative nursing and can validate the impact of your work. The individual should understand your role, contributions, and alignment with the AORN mission, vision, and values. The individual does not need to be your direct supervisor.

For retired applicants, the Professional Sponsor Letter may be written by a professional colleague or other individual familiar with the applicant's contributions to perioperative nursing and the impact of that work.

No. The Professional Sponsor Letter should be written by an individual in a leadership or professional role who is able to objectively evaluate and verify the applicant's contributions and impact.

No. However, the individual should be familiar with your work and be able to attest to the impact of your contributions to perioperative nursing and/or AORN.

The application is located on the Fellow of AORN (FAORN) webpage.

Applications are open July 1 (0700MT) through September 15 (2359MT).

Yes. Each narrative response is limited to 500 words.

Applicants enter the names and email addresses of the FAORN Sponsor and Professional Sponsor within the application. An email is then sent to each sponsor requesting submission of their letter of support.

Sponsors upload their letters of support directly through the online application system. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that both letters of support are submitted before the application deadline.

A resume is a summary of experience, skills, and qualifications typically used for employment purposes. A CV is a comprehensive document focused on professional accomplishments, including education, employment history, publications, presentations, leadership activities, professional service, research, and scholarly contributions. The CV should support and validate the accomplishments and contributions described within the application narratives and letters of support.

The criteria for fellowship focus on significant contributions to perioperative nursing and AORN. Activities unrelated to perioperative nursing or professional contributions are generally not relevant unless they clearly demonstrate leadership, service, scholarship, advocacy, or professional impact applicable to perioperative nursing.

Service on professional association boards, foundations, non-profit organizations, advisory groups, or regulatory/government boards may be relevant when the work demonstrates meaningful impact on perioperative nursing, patient care, health care policy, leadership, education, or professional practice.

The Fellowship Selection Committee (FSC) anticipates completion of the review process by mid-November.

The nonrefundable application fee is $350. Fellows are also responsible for a $250 fellowship maintenance fee every two years following acceptance as a Fellow.

Yes. Fellowship maintenance fees are separate from Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) membership dues. Fellows must maintain active AORN membership in addition to maintaining fellowship requirements and associated fees

No. There is no predetermined limit to the number of applicants who may be selected for fellowship each year.

Applicants will be notified of the Fellowship Selection Committee’s (FSC) decision by email once the review process has been completed.

Fellows are expected to uphold the Fellowship Pledge and support the mission, vision, and values of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Fellows are also expected to continue contributing to AORN through leadership, mentorship, professional engagement, and support of future fellowship applicants.

Yes. All applicants will be notified regarding the outcome of their application.

No. The Fellowship Selection Committee (FSC) does not provide individualized feedback regarding application decisions. Applicants who are not selected may apply again during future application cycles. Fellowship selection is highly competitive, and many successful fellows have applied more than once before being selected.

Requirements for maintaining the FAORN designation include:

• Continued contributions to perioperative nursing and/or AORN
• Active AORN membership
• Maintenance of a nationally recognized current or emeritus nursing certification
• Payment of fellowship maintenance fees