Scholarships available to be certified occ health nurse. Deadline is Feb 28 to apply - sorry for the late notice!

2024 Scholarship for ABOHN Certification Application

The AAOHN Foundation was established in 1997 to advance the health, safety and well-being of workers, worker populations, and communities through the development of innovative research, education, and training solutions. One way in which this purpose is accomplished is by advancing knowledge in occupational and environmental health through the awarding of grants and scholarships to occupational and environmental health professionals to support ongoing education and research.

ABOHN Certification Scholarship

Purpose – The purpose of the AAOHN Foundation Scholarship for ABOHN Certification is to support and encourage qualified Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) in obtaining specialty credentialing thereby validating professional knowledge and expertise in occupational health and enhancing career advancement opportunities.

Funds Awarded: (ten awards). With the generous support of companies including MediTrax (Dr. Joseph Fanucchi), endowments, and individual donations.

Funds to be applied toward the cost of certification preparation (i.e., registration for AAOHN Certification Review Course, purchase of the AAOHN Core Curriculum text), certification exam registration and fees for the ABOHN COHN/COHN-S Certification Examination.

Funding details for 2024 Scholarship:

• $450 (max) awarded in advance to fund the AAOHN COHN/COHN-S Certification Review Course (paid directly to AAOHN of registration),

• OR cost of purchasing the AAOHN Core Curriculum textbook (paid directly to AAOHN)

• PLUS $150 awarded in advance to fund the ABOHN Certification Exam (COHN or COHN-S) application fee (paid directly to ABOHN),

• AND $400 awarded upon successfully passing ABOHN COHN or COHN-S Certification Exam (paid directly to scholarship recipient upon demonstration of passing exam by submitting exam results)

Eligibility Criteria - Applicants must be employed in the field of occupational and environmental health nursing and demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, occupational and environmental health. Additionally, applicants must:

• Meet the eligibility criteria to sit for the desired certification exam (COHN or COHN-S)

• Be a licensed Registered Nurse (current license required)

• Be currently working in an occupational health setting

• Submit completed scholarship application

• Notify the Foundation and ensure payment is submitted to ABOHN for the examination within 3 months of exam application submission and approval

• Must sit for the certification exam within 6 months of exam application approval

Note - Applicants must have a current active membership with AAOHN national, local, or regional chapter for a minimum of one year.

Selection Criteria – Submit a narrative of 300 words or less (double-spaced with 1-inch margins in 12-point font) addressing the topics below. Submissions will be judged on a 100-point system. Members of the AAOHN Foundation Awards Review Panel will judge entries. Each section indicates the maximum number of points the candidate can earn based upon the content submitted.

30 points Career goals: Describe goals as they pertain to applicant’s professional development and continued competence.

30 points Developing skills: How certification as an OHN will further applicant’s skills and accomplishment of personal goals.

15 points Financial Support: Demonstrate need for financial support.

15 points Commitment: Demonstrate commitment to ongoing continuing education activities.

10 points Letter of support: Submit letter of support from employer/supervisor.

AAOHN Foundation will notify all applicants of results via e-mail.

At the end of the continuing education activity, recipient must submit a copy of the certificate of completion reflecting successful passing of the certification exam. Also required is a short report, 300 words or less, that shares an example of how knowledge learned through the preparation and certification resulted in a positive impact on worker health and safety or their personal or professional development. Reports will be published on the website, aaohn.org, and may be used in other AAOHN publication(s). Reports are due by July 15. 

Application Deadline – Complete applications must be emailed to cmpepler@comcast.net on or before February 28, 2024. The APPLICATION FORM and narrative document plus appendices should be submitted together and is required for each submission.

AAOHN FOUNDATION ABOHN CERTIFICATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM https://www.aaohn.org/AAOHN-Foundation/Grants-Scholarship

Application Deadline

Complete applications with narrative document plus appendices must be e-mailed to cmpepler@comcast.net On or before February 28, 2024. An e-mail confirmation of receipt will be sent to each applicant. If you do not receive an e-mail confirmation within two business days of submission, please contact Catherine Pepler at cmpepler@comcast.net or by phone 603-361-0362.

Applications submitted after the deadline or not in accordance with the guidelines will not be accepted.