The Florence Nightingale Foundation is a living memorial to Florence Nightingale by advancing the study of nursing and midwifery, promoting excellence in practice and ultimately improving patient care. It achieves this by providing scholarships in healthcare which promote innovation in practice and extend knowledge and skills to meet changing needs.
There are three main types of scholarship – leadership, travel and research – all of which are available to midwives who are living and working in the United Kingdom, and are registered with the NMC.
Professor Debbie Carrick-Sen, previous leadership scholar and now Florence Nightingale Foundation Chair of Clinical Nursing and Midwifery Practice Research at the University of Birmingham and Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, has the following advice for potential scholarship applicants:
“Make the most of the opportunity: do lots of different things, things that challenge you. Grow and learn. My Florence mentor gave me some really valuable advice, strive for the top/the best, no matter what you do, you won’t know if you can achieve it, unless you try and believe it. Telling people you’re a Florence Scholar moves mountains for you.”
Leadership Scholarships:
Applications close Monday 11th September 2017.
“The scholarship has given me opportunities to be recognised as a midwifery leader who can make a stronger contribution to making a case for change as well as quality improvements.” – FNF Leadership scholar
Leadership scholarships are bespoke programmes of personal development, worth up to £15,000. They are available to professionals working at a senior level in the health and care sectors, and aim to equip scholars with the skills and confidence to contribute positively and significantly to healthcare.
There are four different types of leadership scholarship: General Leadership; Aspiring Deans; Aspiring Nurse Directors and Emerging Leaders. More information can be found on the Foundation’s website here.
Jessica Read, current Aspiring Nurse Director scholar and Regional Maternity Lead at NHS England describes her experience so far:
“After a number of years of senior colleagues suggesting I apply for the FNF Scholarship I bit the bullet and applied last summer. I was delighted to be successful and am currently halfway through my leadership scholarship year with the Florence Nightingale Foundation and what a year it has been thus far! I have taken part in a one day exercise to gain understanding of political interface with the NHS through the Westminster Experience, laughed and learnt a lot at RADA about leadership skills, been to Canada to experience the International Confederation Council of Midwives meeting and made some great friends within my FNF cohort where I am the only midwife. I encourage midwives to apply for this incredible opportunity, it will truly impact on your life and career in a very positive way. I am so grateful to the FNF for the opportunity to ‘learn to lead’ at the next level.”
Applications for leadership scholarships close on Monday 11th September, so visit our website here to apply now!
Research Scholarships:
Applications reopen early 2018.
“The prestige and opportunities the scholarship brings in clinical and career terms is incredible. My confidence has also grown, and it has allowed me to really connect my academic and clinical interests in a really meaningful way.” – FNF Research scholar
Research scholarships provide up to £5,000 to fund a course in research methods, research modules or a dissertation/thesis as part of an academic course of study. All research scholarships are academically supported, clinically focused and demonstrate impact on patient care.
For more information please visit our website here.
Travel Scholarships:
Applications reopen early 2018.
“The scholarship is a great boost to one’s career and personal development. It offers so much in opportunities to improve patient care.” – FNF Travel scholar
Travel scholarships are an opportunity to study and share best practice, both abroad and within the UK. They are worth up to £5,000 and are awarded for projects connected with the applicant’s field of work which will benefit patient care, and the profession more widely.
For more information, please visit our website here.
Events:
The Foundation also runs several events throughout the year, including the Annual Conference and the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service held each May at Westminster Abbey. Meanwhile, the first Alumni Association Regional Seminar is being held in Birmingham on 17th September, and is a learning, sharing and networking opportunity open to all.
For tickets and more information, please visit the seminar sign up page here.
For more information:
For more information about scholarships and the Florence Nightingale Foundation please visit our website here or contact Tabitha Price via email.
