Scholarship Review

2026 Scholarship Review

To avoid unconcious bias and deidentify, we ask that each of you complete the rubric below including just the essay review.

Allie Carty Scholarship Chair has reviewed all applicants for completeness.

Education Scholarship

Confident nurses are more likely to remain in their practice areas, improving patient outcomes through increased experience. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped many aspects of nursing education. The experience previously provided graduates with confidence in basic nursing skills through experiential learning such as robust clinical rotations. As clinical groups increased in size and clinical site variety shrank in response to staffing alterations in a post-COVID world, the responsibility to develop this confidence shifted to the workplace. I was first exposed to this reality as the Professional Development Manager at a primary care clinic where I identified that, when compared to their colleagues, nurses who graduated during the pandemic would more frequently send patients to secondary or tertiary care sites instead of clinic appointments or home management. To address this, I developed simulation-based experiences designed to build confidence. Program participants not only indicated increased confidence but referrals to emergency rooms decreased. When I returned to an inpatient oncology position, I noted an abundance of newly licensed and highly experienced staff but an absence of staff with 3-5 years of experience. Departing staff would frequently mention a lack of continued confidence in a rapidly evolving field of medicine as a reason for seeking alternative specialties. These conversations taught me that confidence in one’s practice is dynamic. While important to establish confidence early to ensure safe practice, it must continue to be cultivated throughout one’s career for continued high-quality patient care. 
	Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs provide graduates with expertise in implementation science thereby improving patient outcomes and increasing the impact of nursing through increased evidence-based practice and interventions. Equipped with the skills this degree provides, I plan to improve nurse retention and patient outcomes by developing and implementing a comprehensive educational program, inclusive of orientation and ongoing education, informed by evidence-based interventions shown to improve practice confidence among nurses across the experience spectrum. Through my program’s specific systems level focus, I will develop skills required to successfully implement this program at my expanding institution. 
	As an Infection Preventionist during COVID-19, I quickly learned the importance of cross-institutional knowledge sharing. If awarded this scholarship, I hope to provide a presentation to the Boston Oncology Nursing Society (BONS) on the development and results of this educational program. In addition, I would also like to become a member of the BONS program committee to establish connections across the Boston area to more effectively facilitate the exchange of experience and ideas. I would also like to utilize these connections to better understand and guide the educational needs of oncology nurses in the  greater Boston area. Finally, as a certified wine aficionado and educator, I would like to offer my knowledge to help enhance the experience of BONS book clubs and wine tastings.

Applicant ID

BONS Board Reviewing

2026 Scholarship Review

Education Scholarship

Evaluation Rubric