Thanks for your interest in The Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Program at the Parkinson’s Foundation. If you have questions about the program, please consult our frequently asked questions below. If your questions are not answered please contact us at nursing@parkinson.org.
Applying to the Program
Q. Who is eligible to apply?
A. We welcome applications from nursing faculty members in schools of nursing in the U.S. and internationally who can share their new Parkinson’s knowledge with nursing students. The program is also open to other nurse educators such as hospital and long-term care in-service instructors and adult/geriatric nurse practitioners if space allows. We call these participants “auditors.”
Q. Should applicants apply to the closest training?
A. Applicants can apply to any training date/location that works best for them. Please note that while the program covers the cost of the training (coursework, materials), participants must cover their own travel and lodging costs.
Q. Do you accept international applicants?
A. Yes, we accept international participants. However, the program does not cover travel/lodging costs.
Q. How many spots do you offer at each training?
A. We limit each training to up to 6 participants.
Q. What is the training application deadline?
A. Applications are rolling. We recommend applying as soon as possible to ensure the best chance of acceptance at the training date/location of your choice, due to small class sizes.
Q. How do I apply?
A. You can apply online here. Please indicate whether you are applying as a nurse faculty or as an auditor. Our application asks for a resume, statement of purpose (why you want to attend the program), the names of two professional references and two reference letters. These items must be uploaded when submitting your application.
Q. How long will it take to hear back on my applications?
A. We will reply to you within four to six weeks of applying. Applications are rolling until site reaches capacity.
Attending the Program
Q. How often do you offer the program?
A. We host up to eight trainings at year. Browse our latest locations and dates here.
Q. What are the goals for nurses completing the program?
A. Participants can expect to gain new knowledge, clarification of information and a new sense of confidence in their understanding of Parkinson’s symptomatology, clinical issues, pharmacological, non-pharmacological and surgical treatments, current research and most importantly, the role of the nurse in caring for people with Parkinson’s and family members.
We prepare and expect participants to become the local Parkinson’s expert and leader in their institution and community. Many nurse faculty find they can enhance their scholarship by way of new research ideas and collaboration on projects. Participants develop long-lasting relationships with the local Parkinson’s experts at the movement disorder center where they study.
Q. What does the program curriculum include?
A. The program model is train the trainer. The program includes didactic, clinical and community hours as well as independent study/project time. Participants fulfill the didactic component by attending the two consecutive days of training at a local academic affiliated movement disorder center; and the clinical component by taking part in clinical hours under supervision at the movement disorder center; and the community component by attending a Parkinson’s disease support group. Each participant chooses their independent project and local sites and national directors of The Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Program at the Parkinson’s Foundation mentor as needed.
Q. How many credits will I earn by completing the program?
A. Participants complete 50 nursing contact hours in the following manner:
- Didactic hours: 10 to 12 hours (spread over two consecutive days at a local movement disorder center, scheduled for the entire group)
- Clinical hours under supervision: 16 hours (scheduled individually)
- Support group participation: 3 hours (scheduled individually at convenience of PD support group and participant)
- Independent project: 19-20 hours (done with mentorship as needed)
Please note: participants must fully complete the program within six months to obtain the stipend and CEUs. Please note that CEUs differ for auditors (see below).
Q. Who leads the didactic component of program?
A. Host site faculty members lead each training, all of whom are Parkinson’s experts. Affiliated with large, academic Parkinson’s and movement disorder centers, they represent multi-disciplinary teams. Each site has a host nurse who works closely with participants. The host nurses have multiple decades of experience working in PD and in providing educational experiences for other nurses.
Q. What should auditors expect?
A. We may admit auditors into the program with pre-approval from the course director as local host site space allows. We define auditors as non-faculty nurses who have a role in teaching other nurses. These nurses come from roles such as in-service nurses, adult or geriatric nurse practitioners who have a teaching role, staff nurses interested in learning more who can share with their colleagues and nurse researchers who have a teaching role.
Auditors attend the two consecutive days of didactic course work at a host movement disorder center. We recommend, but don’t require that auditors attend a support group. We do not require auditors to complete clinical hours or an independent project. Auditors must pay a $150 fee for program registration and materials and will receive CEUs for hours completed . Auditors do not receive a stipend. Contact nursing@parkinson.org if you are interested in auditing.
Q. Are participants responsible for expenses of the program?
A. Training expenses and materials are covered for attendees. However, nurse faculty applicants must provide a $200 deposit and auditors a $150 nonrefundable fee. The deposit holds a program space for nurse faculty and is refundable after completion of the program’s didactic portion. We do not give refunds for cancellations made less than 45 days before the program start date. The auditor fee is non-refundable. Travel and lodgings costs are a participant’s responsibility.
Q. What is the independent project?
A. The nurse faculty scholar chooses the independent study project. The work is the opportunity to engage in self-directed learning and add depth to one's understanding of PD. Some independent project examples include:
- Course content development
- Lecture development
- Initiating a patient-centered group (exercise or support group)
- Research project
- Care plan development
- Patient advocacy
- Review articles in peer-reviewed journals
- Curriculum review
We encourage nursing faculty scholars to engage in a project that interests them and contributes to their professional development. See our Alumni News for more independent project ideas.
Opportunities for Alumni
Each year, The Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Program at the Parkinson's Foundation awards a program graduate for outstanding achievement in improving the lives of those living with Parkinson’s or for leadership and innovation in nursing education leading to improved care for people with PD and their caregiver.
Q. How do you choose annual awardees?
A. We base consideration on the independent project and continued involvement in the PD community or within the alumni’s affiliated nursing school. The awardee receives an award and monetary stipend. See our Alumni News here to learn about past awardees.
