2024 Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) Leadership Scholarship

This scholarship, made possible by Care Initiatives, is for assistant directors of nursing (ADONs), directors of nursing (DONs) or registered nurses (RNs) who are employed by an IHCA, ICAL or ICHC member facility and are interested in pursuing the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) DNS-CT (Director of Nursing Services – Certified) certification, a DON certification program held at IHCA on Nov. 12-15, 2024.

Scholarships will be offered to provide for the registration fee to participate in the AAPACN DNS-CT (DON Certification Program) held at IHCA on Nov. 12-15, 2024. A total of 12 scholarships are available. Applications for this scholarship program are now closed. Scholarship recipients will be announced in late July.

Scholarship criteria and information
Applicants for this scholarship must meet all the criteria listed below to qualify: 

  • Work as an ADON, DON or RN for an IHCA/ICAL/ICHC member nursing facility, assisted living program, residential care facility, home health agency, home care provider, continuing care retirement community or independent senior living community in good standing at the time of application and at the time the scholarships are awarded.
  • Must be enrolled or plan to enroll in the AAPACN DNS-CT certification program held at IHCA on Nov. 12-15, 2024, to be eligible.
  • Must be able to attend the course in West Des Moines on Nov. 12-15, 2024.
  • If the applicant is an RN, they must be actively pursuing training for future anticipated ADON or DON duties, as approved/confirmed by their manager.
  • Submit a complete application form, including an essay and letter of recommendation, by May 31, 2024.

Scholarship award process 

  • The IHCA Foundation Board of Directors will judge qualified applications.
  • Recipients will be notified of the results by the end of July.

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If you have questions, please contact Natalie Thompson or Brent Willett at 515-978-2204.

This scholarship is made possible by Care Initiatives.