Welcome to this issue of the American Heart Association's (AHA's) Council on Cardiovascular Nursing (CCVN) Department. This column is meant to foster the sharing of clinical and research endeavors relating to cardiovascular nursing and to familiarize readers with Council activities.
What Is the CCVN of the AHA?
According to its Web site, the primary mission of the CCVN is to "support the AHA mission to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. The Council identifies and articulates the areas in which nurses can lead in the accomplishment of the AHA mission." Council members are actively engaged in all aspects of the AHA. This includes key roles in the development and writing of scientific statements, practice guidelines, clinical monographs, and patient education materials. Council members sit on international, national, regional, and local committees of the AHA. They are integral to program planning for, and participation in, the annual scientific sessions held each year in November. The Council is managed by a number of committees, some of which have been highlighted in this column over the last year and a half. A list of the committees along with their charters and current membership can be found by going to the CCVN home page (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1148) and clicking on "Council Committees." Committee Chairs always encourage interested Council members to participate in their committees, so feel free to volunteer by contacting the Chairs directly.
To become a member of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, go to http://americanheart.org and click on "Science and Professional/Member Services." You can join online by downloading a form to fax, or by calling 1-800-787-8984.
What Is the AHA's Annual Scientific Session?
The AHA's Annual Scientific Session, held in November, is the premier conference for dissemi-nating new research and clinical practices in cardiovascular disease. This conference is attended by roughly 30,000 nurses, physicians, researchers, ancillary cardiovascular personnel, and industry representatives from around the world. The conference lasts 31/2 days and has a series of important preconferences and postconferences that serve to give comprehensive overviews of current and emerging cardiovascular issues and topics. The Council typically hosts preconference meetings as well as "Meet the Experts" and "How-To" sessions that occur throughout the conference. The Council also moderates a number of oral scientific sessions and poster sessions.
The annual CVN Council dinner is held during the annual scientific sessions. This is an important event because it is the best way to learn about the Council, keep updated on Council activities, and to meet other Council members. Council awards recognizing excellence in clinical practice, research, and leadership are announced at the dinner, and recipients are praised for their work. Members and nonmembers can sign up for the dinner when they register to attend the sessions. The AHA Web site (http://americanheart.org; click on "Conferences") is a good place to keep up-to-date on the program and registration procedures. CCVN members receive substantial discounts on the registration price.
How-to Session: How to Nominate a Colleague for Fellowship in the AHA
Members of the CCVN who have demonstrated meritorious contributions to the field of cardiovascular nursing and who have been actively involved in AHA activities are eligible to be nominated for the prestigious Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA). Fellowship awards are granted yearly to candidates who are recognized on a national level and have made substantial contributions to cardiovascular nursing through practice, research, and/or education.
Criteria
[black small square] Applicants must be premium professional members of the AHA, with primary Council affiliation listed as the CCVN
[black small square] AHA volunteer experience can be demonstrated through participation and leadership in Council, national, affiliate, and division (local) activities. Participation includes (but is not limited to):
[black small square] Development/fundraising
[black small square] Advocacy
[black small square] Programs
[black small square] Research peer review
[black small square] Scholarship and meritorious contributions can include (but are not limited to):
[black small square] Recognition by peers as expert clinicians through such things as speaking engagements and written monographs,
[black small square] A program of research with data-based publications, and/or
[black small square] Recognition by peers, superiors, and students for excellence in cardiovascular education.
[black small square] Any active member of the Council can initiate the nomination. Self-nominations are unacceptable. Each nomination for fellowship requires a letter of endorsement from 2 sponsors, one of whom must be an active fellow of the CCVN; a copy of the candidate's CV; and a letter from the candidate, indicating agreement to be considered for fellowship.
[black small square] Nominator letters should include the nature of the relationship with the nominee and speak to contributions to the AHA and to cardiovascular nursing scholarship (clinical, research, or teaching).
[black small square] Nominee letters of acceptance should include contributions to the AHA and to cardiovascular nursing scholarship (clinical, research, or teaching).
[black small square] CVs should include current position, education, work experience, AHA volunteer activity, and clinical, teaching, and/or research scholarship. Publications (scientific and clinical) should be included. Other information such as awards and honors is also welcome.
[black small square] The latest instructions for applications as well as the deadline for submission of nominations are listed on the Web site.
Nomination Review Process
[black small square] Fellowship nominations are reviewed by the Nominations Committee.
[black small square] The Leadership Committee acts on recommendations from the Nominating Committee to formulate the ballot.
[black small square] Finalists for fellowship are elected by active fellows of the CCVN.
[black small square] New fellows are recognized at the annual Council dinner held at the annual scientific sessions.
Submission Checklist
[black small square] A letter of endorsement/nomination from each of 2 sponsors.
[black small square] A copy of the candidate's CV that includes AHA volunteer activity and CV nursing scholarship.
[black small square] A letter from the candidate agreeing to be considered for fellowship.
One of the sponsors should forward the completed application to: Credentials Secretary, Scientific Councils, American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231-4506.