About the Fellowship
The Sarah Cole Hirsh Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing seeks to produce the nation’s top scientists through its Hirsh Fellow Program.
Earn full tuition support as well as an educational allowance.
A fellow of the Sarah Cole Hirsh Institute earns full tuition support as well as an educational allowance. This award includes a research assistant appointment (employment/activities), requiring participation in scholarship, education, service and research related activities of the Hirsh Institute. Acceptance in this program is based on fit with the Institute’s mission, vision and aims, the student’s academic performance, and professional leadership potential. Previous experience in evidence-based practice implementation is highly desirable but not required. Apply for the Hirsh Fellow Program, in addition to the regular PhD application, by January 1.
Shanell Hill, MSN, RN, CNE, is a nursing PhD graduate with over fifteen years of experience with the Cleveland Clinic System. She currently works as a clinical bedside nurse in cardiothoracic surgical intensive care unit (CSICU) at Hillcrest Hospital, recovering open heart, lung, and vascular surgeries. Shanell received both her BSN and MSN from Cleveland State University in 2012 and 2018, respectively. Before joining CWRU’s PhD program Shanell was a Bridges to Doctorate Scholar.
Hill’s interests include evidence-based practice research, mentoring student/new nurses, and nursing education. As a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, she understands the importance of continuing education and research to ensure best practices. Hill plans to study implementation science to help improve post-operative mobility efforts in cardiac surgery patients.
Hill exudes leadership through her role as Chair of Research and Evidenced Based Practice Council at Hillcrest Hospital, helping to create ideas and changes that improve practice, staff satisfaction, and patient outcomes. Hill also has published a paper titled, “Understanding the Experiences of African American Nursing Student. A qualitative research paper that reveals the supports and barriers to nursing school completion.
Featured Publications
Hill, S., & Albert, N. M. (2021). Understanding the Experiences of African American Nursing Students. Journal of Nursing Education, 60(3), 150-154.
Fellowship Eligibility
To qualify for this prestigious award, prospective students must be high-achieving individuals, as demonstrated by their:
- Academic excellence through qualifications, experience and outputs
- Professional leadership activities in local or national organizations
- Interest in an Implementation Science focused PhD program. The proposed research area should be of high quality and significance
- Experience in conducting systematic reviews
- Ability to demonstrate how resources will be used to develop a career as a nurse scientist
Hirsh Fellows are evaluated annually for re-appointment using the same criteria provided for the application.
Award Description
This renewable, annual award for highly selective candidates with national leadership potential includes:
- Full tuition for up to four years, up to $250,000
- $6,000 educational allowance per academic year
- 20 hours weekly effort (1000 per year) as a research assistant
- Weekly mentoring and career development with a personalized development plan with the Hirsh Director
Requirements
- Can be U.S citizen, permanent resident or foreign national
- Most hold a bachelor’s degree
- Must have an active license as RN in the US or in the respective home country
- Must be full-time student in the PhD program at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University
- Minority students are particularly encouraged to apply
To Apply
Submit/upload the following items with your completed PhD application through the School of Graduate Studies:
- An official letter requesting consideration for this highly competitive fellowship.
- The letter should address the following areas and not exceed 5 pages.
- How you meet the required eligibility criteria for the Hirsh funding as outlined above.
- A description of your professional achievements.
- Personal characteristics that set you apart from others that also will be requesting the funding.
For further application instructions, visit our Admissions section.