Academy Jonas Policy Scholars


American Academy of Nursing Jonas Policy Scholars Program

Launched in 2014, the Jonas Policy Scholars program, generously funded by Jonas Philanthropies, supports early-career scholars seeking to shape nursing practice, education, and research policy. The Academy Jonas Policy Scholars program is a two-year fellowship program in which up to six highly-qualified doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, or recent doctoral graduates (within 2 years of graduation) in nursing will be selected to learn about the policy work of the Academy while they advance their own career goals in areas aligning with the Academy’s policy priorities. The three components of the Jonas Policy Scholar program are mentoring, policy, and engagement. It is this three-pronged approach that makes this program unique. 

Mentoring

Each scholar will be paired with a member of the National Policy Mentoring Council (NPMC) who will serve as their mentor throughout the two-year program. In addition to bimonthly one-on-one mentoring sessions, members of the NPMC will also provide policy lectures to the entire cohort in their area of expertise.

Policy

Scholars will work side-by-side with Academy staff, including the Senior Director of Policy, Strategic Outreach Manager, and Policy Assistant, to promote the Academy’s vision to impact and influence health policy through nursing knowledge and leadership. Supporting the work of all 24 Academy Expert Panels, scholars will help scan the Federal Register, research evidence needed for Academy policy statements, and help draft comments. Additionally, each scholar will present a Peer-to-Peer on Policy webinar on a policy topic of their choice to their peers and engage in thoughtful conversation around policy solutions as well as overcoming barriers.

Engagement

Scholars will attend the Academy’s Transforming Health, Driving Policy conference each year they are in the program. Additionally, scholars will participate in a three-day immersion program in Washington, DC that will provide real-time exposure to policy leaders from various federal entities and partner organizations.

The next application cycle will open in November 2020. View the application here.

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2019-2020 Jonas Policy Scholar Cohort with NPMC Chair, Dr. Stephanie Ferguson (center)

Meet the Current Academy Jonas Policy Scholars

Meet the 
National Policy
Mentoring Council

Meet the Past
Academy Jonas Policy Scholars

Testimonials

"I am learning not only about the application of the unique knowledge of this amazing group of nurse leaders to useful policy purposes, but I am learning how such a respected group of scholars navigates the teamwork and collaboration. It is an honor to be included in the Expert Panel calls and the Expert Panel's Leadership Circle calls."
-Laura Brennaman, 2014 Academy Jonas Policy Scholar

"To be chosen as the American Academy of Nursing Jonas Policy Scholar for the Cultural Competence and Health Equity Expert Panel is a great honor and a privilege! It has given me the opportunity to learn and experience first-hand how the work of the Expert Panel and the Academy inform and shape health policy. Also, it has given me the wonderful opportunity to work with nursing leaders and trailblazers!"
-Emerson Ea, 2014 Academy Jonas Policy Scholar, Inducted as a FAAN in 2018

"The knowledge and skills I gained in this program will serve me well throughout my career. Above all the most valuable aspect of this experience has been the opportunity to make connections with not only Academy Fellows but also other Jonas Policy Scholars. In many ways I feel that I found my tribe. The individuals I have met in this program have become colleagues, confidantes and friends."
-Billy Caceres, 2015 Academy Jonas Policy Scholar

"As a result of my experiences with the AAN Jonas Policy Scholar program, I feel much more comfortable taking on policy issues I encounter in my work. For example I have participated in Forensic Nursing on the Hill held by the IAFN during the past two years, participated as a speaker at a the #metooabroad Congressional Briefing, and am the IAFN Pennsylvania chapter representative on an in-progress policy statement regarding sexual assault emergency care law. I hope to be able to continue to incorporate these policy activities into my career moving forward. "
-Jocelyn Anderson, 2016 Academy Jonas Policy Scholar

"The most valuable moments and educational opportunities have been from attending the [Academy's] policy conferences. I walked away both times with a better understanding of how research is translated into policy and how policy shapes practice. I was able to network with the other Jonas Scholars (my future colleagues) as well as some of the most influential nursing leaders in the world. It is an incredible experience that has inspired me to continue my research and ensure that the future policies and implications will be informed by policy."
-Liz Stokes, 2017 Academy Jonas Policy Scholar


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The American Academy of Nursing Jonas Policy Scholar program is generously supported by the Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare.

More Information

Questions?
Contact Sonya Desai, Policy Assistant, at sdesai@aannet.org