Pamela Austin Thompson Fellowship Scholarship

Named in honor of CEO Emeritus, Pamela Austin Thompson, and recognizing her many contributions to the nursing leadership profession, the Pamela Austin Thompson Fellowship Scholarship was established to support the Nurse Manager and Nurse Director Fellowship programs and the nurse leaders who participate in them.

Through the generosity of AONL Foundation donors, the Foundation is proud to provide financial assistance for fellowships to nurse leaders. Priority is given to nurse leaders serving in small, rural, and critical access healthcare organizations, enabling them to participate in the fellowship programs and further strengthen their leadership capabilities.
 

• Funds available up to $8,999 to be used for program cost.
• Scholarship recipient fees for the Nurse Manager or Nurse Director Fellowship program will be waived upon acceptance and signing of the agreement.  
   

• The applicant is accepted to the AONL Nurse Manager or Nurse Director Fellowship program
• Applicant completes all requirements on the scholarship application
• Applicant has the support of their leadership team from their organization
• Release time is supported by their organization to attend all aspects of the program
• Priority is given to small, rural, critical access, or other small non-profit, government or public health care organizations along the care continuum
• Scholarship is available to current AONL members
• Scholarships and grants administered by the AONL Foundation may only be awarded to individuals and organizations within the United States of America and its territories
• Sitting Board Members of AHA, AONL and the AONL Foundation are ineligible
   

Organizational classification will be determined using the following sources:

• "Small” - as defined by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Bed size Categories: www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/db/vars/hosp_bedsize/nisnote.jsp
• "Rural” - if any one of the following criteria is met:
  • Listing in Rural Health Information Hub's "Am I Rural” tool: www.ruralhealthinfo.org/am-i-rural
  • Qualifies for either the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Rural Health Clinics Program or the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's Grants Programs
  • Has a United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code of 10
  • Has a United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service Rural-Urban Continuum Code (RUCC) of 4 or greater
• "Critical access” - if appearing on the Flex Monitoring Team's listing: www.flexmonitoring.org/data/critical-access-hospital-locations
• Other "small non-profit, government or public health care organization along the care continuum” such as:
  • Schools (for a school nurse)
  • Long term care organizations
  • Home health care and hospice organizations
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Community college
     

The application package will consist of:

• Biographical information for the applicant, their organization, and their supervisor
• Materials used for program application including:
  • Resume
  • Vital leadership essay
  • Capstone project proposal
• Information relevant to financial aid considerations
• Signed letter of recommendation from immediate supervisor that speaks to the following:
  • Available financial support, if any, from the organization
  • The applicant’s commitment to program attendance
  • How the program will benefit the applicant’s professional growth and leadership development

The Financial Aid Committee is not evaluating the quality of the candidate to participate in the Fellowship program(s). The Financial Aid Committee’s role is to recommend whether to award financial aid (i.e. a scholarship) to the applicant.

Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and completion of required elements on the application form.
 

• Scholarship recipients must attend > 85% of the fellowship program
• Participation in Foundation events at the AONL Inspiring Leaders Conference including:
  • Annual Fundraising Event (in-person)
  • Meet and greet with donor community
  • Support the AONL Foundation Exhibit Booth(s) at the Inspiring Leaders Conference
  • Other events as appropriate
• Participation in photography and videography to promote the scholarship, Financial Aid Program, and the AONL Foundation
• Providing written reports on individual experiences from the program participant and evaluate personal/professional/organizational impact:
  • At the mid-point of the Fellowship program
  • Following completion of the Fellowship program
  • Annually for a two-year period
  • Allow the Foundation to use in formation in the reports in promotional materials
• Providing written reports from the program participant's supervisor and mentor that evaluate the personal/professional/organization impact:
  • At the mid-point of the Fellowship program
  • Following completion of the Fellowship program
  • Annually for a two-year period.
  • Allow the Foundation to use in formation in the reports in promotional materials
     

Scholarship Application due:          Aug. 21, 2026
Applications Evaluated:                   Oct. 2, 2026
Scholarship Awarded:                     Oct. 12, 2026
 

For more information and questions, please contact: aonlfoundation@aha.org, or 312-422-2825

Apply Now

View Full Application Guidelines