FAONL Application Letters of Support

Two letters of support are required when submitting your FAONL application. It is recommended that both letters be written by current AONL members in good standing (membership numbers required); at least one must be a current AONL member*. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that at least one letter author is a current AONL member before submitting the letters with the application packet. The link to AONL membership directory is http://leaders.aonl.org/network/members. Additionally, at least one of those letters must be written by someone outside your organization (if currently employed). 

*Please note: Current AONL board members, FAONL selection committee members and AONL staff are not eligible to write letters of support.

AONL Membership Directory

What your reference letters needs

The letters of support must verify and expand upon information provided in the applicant’s written narratives and CV and include outcomes and impact on nursing leadership. At least one author must reflect on AONL’s contributions to and impact on the applicant’s leadership evolution. For this to be accomplished, applicants are advised to share their completed professional narratives, CVs and the AONL mission and vision with those writing support letters prior to the due date of the application.

The most important characteristic of authors of support letters is their direct knowledge of the applicant. The authors should have sufficient knowledge about the applicant to expand on the contributions and outcomes to both leadership and AONL contributions.

The applicant is responsible for orienting the authors of support letters to the format requirements for the support letter and specific content that verifies and amplifies the contributions documented in the applicant’s narrative and CV. Completed support letters are to be sent to the applicant for inclusion in the application packet.

Support Letter Format