AAHFN Fellowship Program

Register now.

Please note: you must be signed into your AAHFN Member account to register and submit an application.

1. Application Cycle and Timeline

• Open Call for Applications: Announce that applications will be open December 1 on the AAHFN website.
• Application Period: 3 months.
• Review Period: Independent review panel conducts evaluations over the following 2 months.
• Notification: Candidates notified 1 month before the AAHFN Annual Conference.

2. Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must:

• Have a minimum of 5 years of full-time professional experience in heart failure (HF) nursing in roles such as educator, clinical practitioner, researcher, advocate, or industry leader.
• Hold at least 3 years of continuous CHFN certification.
• Have been an AAHFN member for at least 5 years, excluding student membership.

3. Submission Requirements

• Application Essay: Address 2 of the specific questions (below) focusing on contributions to HF nursing, alignment with AAHFN’s mission, and career achievements.
  • Professional Journey and Impact in HF Nursing
    Prompt: Describe your journey in HF nursing. What motivated you to specialize in this area, and how have your roles evolved over time? Highlight key achievements and moments that illustrate your commitment to HF nursing.
  • Contributions to AAHFN’s Mission Areas
    Prompt: AAHFN is dedicated to advancing HF nursing through education, research, patient care, advocacy, and membership engagement. Describe specific projects or initiatives you have led or contributed to that align with these areas. Explain how these efforts have impacted HF nursing, patient outcomes, or healthcare systems.
  • Leadership and Innovation in HF Nursing
    Prompt: Discuss a time when you demonstrated leadership within your role, whether as an educator, practitioner, researcher, or advocate in HF nursing. Describe any challenges you faced, the innovative solutions you implemented, and the outcomes of your efforts.
  • Commitment to Professional Development and Mentorship
    Prompt: Explain how you have pursued professional growth throughout your career in HF nursing. Describe any continuing education, certifications, or professional development activities you have undertaken. Additionally, share how you have mentored others within the HF nursing community and supported their development.
  • Vision for the Future of HF Nursing
    Prompt: As a potential AAHFN Fellow, how do you envision the future of HF nursing? Describe specific changes or advancements you believe are needed in the field, and outline how you plan to contribute to those goals as a Fellow.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Upload CV
• Letters of Recommendation: Two reference letters supporting the candidate’s contributions in AAHFN’s pillars: Education, Research, Patient Care, Advocacy, and Membership Engagement. Templates will be available to guide recommenders.
• Fee: Non-refundable application fee of $275.

4. Selection Criteria

• Evidence of leadership and impactful contributions to the HF nursing field.
• Demonstrated expertise in AAHFN’s mission areas through projects, publications, mentorship, or advocacy.
• Proven record of going beyond ordinary nursing responsibilities with significant impacts on HF patient care or HF nursing education.

5. Submission Process

• Step 1: Complete the online application form and upload all required documents.
• Step 2: Submit the non-refundable application fee.
• Step 3: Ensure that recommendation letters are sent directly from referees to AAHFN by the specified deadline. (send to information@aahfn.org)

6. Fellowship Designation and Responsibilities

• Designation: Upon acceptance, fellows will earn the AAHFN-F credential.
• Responsibilities:
  • Serve as mentors to novice and other HF nurses.
  • Nominate a candidate each year after the inaugural class.
  • Participate in selection committees once there is an internal panel of fellows.
• Recognition: Fellows will be formally recognized with a medallion during the AAHFN Annual Meeting and join an exclusive fellowship network.