Purpose: To recognize leaders in the field of occupational and environmental health nursing (OEHN) and AAOHN, who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments through significant contributions in the areas of clinical practice, education, research, management or policy. As AAOHN members, Fellows comprise a group of leaders who provide vision to advance skills, knowledge and abilities of occupational and environmental health nurses, influence formation of policy, contribute to research and exemplify highly effective management and clinical practices.

Eligibility: Must be an active member of AAOHN.

Award Selection: Members of the AAOHN Awards/Recognition Review Panel will judge entries. The recipient will receive a crystal award.

Procedure

• Candidate must submit a candidate narrative addressing the selection criteria listed below. Candidate Narrative responses should not total more than 10 8 ½ x 11”, typewritten, double-spaced, single-sided pages with 1” margins using 12 point font.
• Candidate must be nominated by two sponsors: the primary sponsor (must be an active member of AAOHN) and a secondary sponsor (must be a professional in the field of OEHN, but is not required to be an AAOHN member). Information about Sponsor Forms and Instructions are found below. 
• All materials from both sponsors and the candidate must be submitted by  January 15, 2023 at 11:59 pm CT. 
• AAOHN will notify all candidates and sponsors of results via email.

Selection Criteria

1. Candidates must show evidence of outstanding contributions to OEHN; including but not limited to the following:
   • Creative activities that have contributed to the field of OEHN in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice, education, research, management, policy or authorship areas
   • Research or projects that have contributed to improvement in the field of OEHN
   • Authorship of books, articles or other communication media that have significant implications
   • Leadership - Active participation in AAOHN and other organizations at the local, state, national or international level
   • Representation of AAOHN or the field of OEHN’s in other professional organizations
   • Promotion of or expansion of professional development for OEHN’s
   • Significant influence of legislative policy
   • Professional development activities that have expanded expertise and/or career direction
2. Candidates must provide evidence of potential to continue contributions to OEHN and AAOHN as evaluated by narrative responses, including:

• Professional and personal development activities that expand expertise and professional direction.
• Activities that reflect a broadening perspective of OEHN
• Contributions that address the goals and vision of AAOHN

Judging Criteria:

Submissions will be judged based on a 150-point system. Each section indicates the maximum number of points that the candidate can earn based upon the content submitted.  

25 Points - Primary Sponsor’s Statement

• Description of specific evidence of the significance of the candidate’s contributions, the scope of influence of their work and their sustained commitment to occupational and environmental health nursing (25 points).
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25 Points - Secondary Sponsor’s Statement

• Description of specific evidence of the significance of the candidate’s contributions, the scope of influence of their work and their sustained commitment to occupational and environmental health nursing (25 points)

40 Points - Contributions to OEHN

• Creative activities that have contributed to the field of OEHN in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice (5 points), education (5 points), research (5 points), management (5 points), policy (5 points), authorship (5 points)
• Impact of this work (10 points)

30 Points - Leadership

• Active participation/promotion/leadership in AAOHN at the local, state, national or international level (10 Points)
• Active leadership in other nursing organizations (5 points)
• Representation of AAOHN or the field of OEHN’s in other professional organizations (5 Points)
• Legislative action/policy promotion at national, chapter or other nursing organization levels (5 Points)
• Leadership to improve the image of OH Nurses in the nursing community or public (5 Points).

25 Points - Professional Development

• Academic achievement with advanced degrees (10 points)
• Certification in OHN, Case Management or Safety through ABOHN (5 points)
• Other professional certifications (5 points)
• Involvement in professional and personal development opportunities that has expanded the candidate’s expertise, vision of OH Nursing and/or professional direction and is reflected in the candidate’s accomplishments (5 points).

5 Points - Contribution to the Profession

• Vision for the profession and potential for continuing contributions to the profession and AAOHN’s mission
• Personal goals for the candidate’s future, including professional and personal growth

Nominating Sponsor Instructions and Forms

Applications for the AAOHN Fellowship requires at least two (2) nominating sponsors. The primary nominating sponsor must be an active member of AAOHN and the secondary sponsor must be a professional in the field of OEHN, but is not required to be an AAOHN member. Both sponsors may only nominate one (1) candidate per year. 

Sponsor statements should not exceed two (2) 8 ½ x 11”, typewritten, double-spaced, single-sided pages with 1” margins using 12 point font.

Nominating sponsors must fill out this form and provide a separate narrative based on the selection criteria above. The form can be filled out together, or each sponsor can fill out a separate form.

Using the selection criteria, please cite specific evidence of the significance of the candidate’s contributions, the scope of influence of their work and the sustainment of their commitment to OEHN.

Complete sponsor forms should be completed below or emailed to Veronica Wilson at vwilson@aaohn.org. Incomplete applications without both the Primary and Secondary Sponsor will be disqualified. 

Click here to download the Fellows Sponsorship Form.