How the OADN Foundation is honoring excellence and investing in the future of associate degree nursing education

The OADN Foundation promotes the mission and vision of OADN, through the development of resources and the recognition of scholarship and excellence in associate degree nursing education. In collaboration with our valued partners and sponsors, the OADN Foundation is making a difference for nurse educators, their students, and the communities they serve across the country. Every year, the OADN Foundation provides thousands of dollars in award, grant and scholarship funding to support OADN members throughout every stage of their professional journey.

The OADN Foundation is proud to offer financial support to our students and faculty, in the following award and scholarship categories: academic excellence and progression, professional advancement, leadership development and community service, and scholarly research. Investments in these areas will reap benefits for all of us as we help support the future of associate degree nursing education. When the 2023 cycle launches on March 1^st, please share these scholarship and grant opportunities with your nursing faculty and students and encourage them to apply.

The OADN Foundation is also committed to recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedicated service in the promotion of associate degree nursing education and practice. We are proud to offer an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation for a valued colleague, trusted mentor, visionary leader, and steadfast champion of associate degree nursing through nomination for one of the Foundation’s three honorary awards:

Bobbie Anderson Leadership Award: Named in honor of OADN’s first president, Bobbie Anderson. Mrs. Anderson joined with other state leaders in nursing to organize the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. She helped ensure the delivery of quality health care through her dedication and tireless efforts in promoting associate degree nursing education and practice. This prestigious award is given annually to an educator or nursing program administrator who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within his or her institution, community, and at the state and national levels.

Elsevier Educator of the Year Award: Each year, this award is given to one exceptional educator that uses innovative teaching strategies, motivates students to perform at their highest level, collaborates cooperatively with colleagues in the college and/or clinical setting, and demonstrates meaningful participation in professional and community activities.

NurseThink New Educator of the Year Award: This award is given to a nurse who is new to the role of educator with less than three years of experience teaching nursing students in both clinical and classroom instruction. Nominees should exhibit exceptional teaching skills, passion for the role of nurse educator, and a demonstrated commitment to the profession and students.

New in 2023 –Online OADN Foundation Nominations & Applications To streamline the annual OADN Foundation Call for Awards, Scholarships and Grants, I am pleased to announce we have revamped the application process and transitioned to a new, online format, powered by Survey Monkey Apply. Please visit the OADN Foundation page at Foundation – OADN, click the link for the award, scholarship or grant opportunity of interest to read step-by-step instructions, as well as detailed eligibility and criteria requirements. You will find a direct Survey Monkey application link under the instructions for applicants’ section. We strongly encourage applicants and nominators to read the instructions carefully, gather all required materials and thoroughly edit them before submitting an online application. The 2023 OADN Foundation Call for Awards, Scholarships and Grants Submission Deadline is June 15, 2023. All award, scholarship, and grant recipients will be acknowledged and presented with their respective awards at the 2023 OADN Convention, Turning the Tide of Nursing Education, November 15^th – 18^th at the Manchester Hyatt in San Diego, California.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our valued partners and all of you who have donated to the OADN Foundation. Your financial contribution is making a direct impact for our faculty and students who embody the excellence of the associate degree pathway. Together, we are helping to meet OADN’s vision of expanding networks that promote leadership, collaboration and advocacy and further enrich associate degree nursing education and the communities we serve.

 

 

 

Christy Dryer, DNP, RN, CNE
President, OADN Foundation