Duke Heart Center Nursing Fellowship
Program Purpose: The Duke Heart Center Nursing Fellowship is designed to exemplify the knowledge
and expertise of experienced RN’s working in the Heart Center, while providing them an opportunity to gain
exposure to areas of Duke University Hospital and Duke University Medical School. Each fellow will
participate in clinical observational experiences throughout the Heart Center, complete a special project in
an area of the fellow’s choosing and participate in shadowing experiences with organization leaders. The
Heart Center Nursing Fellowship will begin each July and last one (1) year with the next Heart Center
Nursing Fellowship beginning October. No more than four (4) Heart Center Nursing Fellows will be chosen
each year, and no more than one (1) from any one unit/department will be chosen to participate in the
fellowship simultaneously. Detailed information about the Heart Center Fellowship is listed below.
Program Overview
Applicant Qualifications: Staff nurses with at least five (5) years of Duke Heart Center experience or
have successfully completed the requirements of a Clinical Nurse III or Clinical Nurse IV.
Staff Component: Each Heart Center Nursing Fellow will continue to serve in a staff role on his/her home
unit. The staffing component of the program is to be 25% (as staffing permits) of the fellowship module and
75% dedicated to clinical segment (staffing on current unit)
Educational Stipend: Each Heart Center Nursing Fellow will be allotted $1500.00 to be used for
educational purposes and for completion of a major fellowship project. This money can be used for any of
the following at each individual fellow’s discretion:
Conference registration fees
Associated travel and lodging
Course tuition
Reference books/materials
Software
Supplies
Other requests for the use of this stipend will be considered on an individual basis and must be approved by
the Heart Center Fellowship Steering Committee.
Post-Fellowship Commitment: Each Nursing Fellow will be required to remain at Duke in a Heart Center
nursing position for at least two (2) years following completion of the Fellowship.
Program Curriculum
Clinical rotations: Each Nursing Fellow may choose three clinical observational experiences to attend
during the Fellowship. The Heart Center offers rotational options, as indicated below:
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Observational Experiences
Clinical
Step-down/Intensive Care Unit
3100/3300
7100/7300
3200/7300
Research
Administration
Education
Leadership Exposure: Each fellow will have shadowing experiences, which will gain exposure to Heart
Center, Hospital, and medical Center Leadership. Opportunities are listed but not limited to:
Associate Operating Officer, Duke Heart Center
Medical Director, Duke Heart Center
Duke Hospital Chief Nursing Officer
Duke Hospital Chief Operating Officer
School of Nursing Faculty
Duke Hospital Chief Executive Officer
Duke Heart Center Nurse Managers
Duke Adult Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Administrator
Operations Administrators
Duke Hospital Department of Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs
Ancillary Directors (EVS, Clinical Laboratories, Transfusion Services, Respiratory
Therapy, Food Services, Pharmacy, Laundry)
Application and Selection: Applicants to the Heart Center Nursing Fellowship Program must complete
the application form and obtain their management team’s support before forwarding it to the Heart Center
Administration office. Applications are due by March 31st. The Heart Center Nursing Fellowship Steering
Committee reviews the applications and the Nursing Fellows will be selected by April 15th. All applicants will
be notified of their selection status no later than April 20th.
Staffing Component: Each Heart Center Nursing Fellow will continue to serve in a staff role on his/her
home unit. The staffing component of the program is to be 25% (as staffing permits) of the fellowship
module and 75% dedicated to clinical segment (staffing on current unit).
Educational Stipend: Each Heart Center Nursing Fellow will be allotted $1500.00 to be used for
educational purposes and for completion of a major fellowship project. This money can be used for any of
the following at each individual fellow’s discretion:
Conference registration fees
Associated travel and lodging
Course tuition
References books/materials
Software
Supplies
Other requests for the use of this stipend will be considered on an individual basis and must be approved by
the Heart Center Fellowship Steering Committee.
Special Project: Research or Creative Solution
Each Fellow is responsible to complete an abstract related to their Fellowship Research or Creative
Solution project. This should be presented to the Heart Center Leadership within 3 months of completion of
their fellowship program.
To discuss your project and presentation plans, please contact:
Lisa Soltis (3rd floor)
lisa.soltis@duke.edu
919-668-1698
Kathryn McBroom (7th floor)
mcbro004@mc.duke.edu
919-681-3931 (office)
Application:
Applicant Name and Credentials
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Home Address
City
State
Zip Code
________________________________
1. Home Telephone Number
________________________________
E-mail address
________________________________
Heart Center Work Unit/Department
________________________________
Work Telephone Number
1. Please list any specialty certifications.
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2. Please list positions held at Duke University Health System by month and year
(current position first)
Position:
Position:
Dates of Service:
Dates of Service:
3. List of any nursing experience not gained at Duke University Health System.
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4. List of any unit/department or hospital-wide committee membership and involvement since
coming to Duke University Hospital.
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5. List any professional organization of which you are a member (NCNA, AACN, Sigma Theta
Tau, etc.) and any special involvement in those organizations.

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6. List any poster or oral presentations submitted to an professional organization (AACN/NTI,
AAHFN,etc)

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7. List any awards received as a Registered Nurse.
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8. List any community service activities in which you are involved.
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Areas of Clinical Focus
Upon application, each potential fellow will identify an area of clinical focus (i.e. congestive heart
failure, heart transplant, arrhythmia management, etc.) in which he or she proposes to complete a
special project during the fellowship. Although the specific project plan will not be finalized until
three months into the fellowship. Please attach a separate sheet suggesting an area of clinical
focus for your fellowship project work. Identify the proposed project topic, list the reasons behind
your interest in the topic, and explain how the fellowship might help you broaden your knowledge of
this topic. Please limit the discussion to 250 words or less.
Essay
In 200 words or less, discuss the most significant challenge that you believe bedside nurses
currently face and suggest one possible solution to this challenge. Attach your essay to this
application.
Application Signature
By signing below, I indicate my intention to apply for the Duke Heart Center Nursing Fellowship. I
understand that, if selected, I will be participating in a year-long educational and experimental
program that will impact my ability to service as a staff nurse in my unit/department.
_________________________________________________
Signature
______________________________
Date
Management Team Recommendation and Signature
In the space below, briefly explain why you believe this applicant is qualified for and would benefit
from participating in the Heart Center Nursing Fellowship Program:
By signing below, I endorse this application to the Heart Center Nursing Fellowship. I understand
that the applicant’s selection to the Heart Center Nursing Fellowship would have an affect on his/her
ability to service as a staff nurse in my unit/department.
_____________________________________________________
Signature
_____________________________
Date
Upon completion, please return this application and any attachments to Kathryn McBroom, Room 7350,
Duke University Hospital. To be considered for the fellowship program (July – July), a completed
application must be received by March 31st.
Questions: If you have any questions concerning the Heart Center Nursing Fellowship, please contact the
Heart Center Administration office at 681-4060 or a member of the Heart Center Nursing Fellowship
Steering Committee:
Wanda Bride, Clinical Operations Director III
Mary Lindsay, Clinical Operations Director __
Lisa Soltis, Nurse Manager, Operations/Education
Kathryn McBroom, Nurse Manager, Operations/Education
Bradi Granger, Heart Center Nurse Clinician/Research
Cory Miller, Heart Center Clinical Educator
kcm-08/07
7100/7200/7300
3100/3200/3300
3200
7100/7300