Fellow of the Academy of Urologic Nurses and Associates (FAUNA) is a SUNA member who has made outstanding, sustained contributions to urology education, policy, management, clinical practice or research.

Learn more about FAUNA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to be CBUNA certified to apply to be a SUNA fellow?
2. How can I find existing Fellows to approach to sponsor me?
3. How will I know if you received my application?
4. What are the characteristics of members who may be selected as Fellows?
5. Do I have to have a record of nursing research in order to apply?
6. Is there a limit to the number of fellows who can be inducted in any given year?
7. If I am not selected for Fellowship, how soon can I re-apply?
8. Does having applied previously affect my chances for acceptance in the future?
9. When will I be notified about the status of my application?

1. Do I need to be CBUNA certified to apply to be a SUNA fellow?

While certification is an asset when applying to be a SUNA fellow, it is not a necessary criterion.

2. How can I find existing Fellows to approach to sponsor me?

This information is posted on the SUNA website. Reach out to your potential sponsor 3-6 months prior to the application date of March 1. View current list of Fellows.

3. How will I know if you received my application?

Email notifications will be sent out within 2 weeks of receipt of Fellowship application with payment.

4. What are the characteristics of members who may be selected as Fellows?

FAUNA applicants must be an active member of SUNA in good standing at the time of the application. Fellows will exemplify SUNA members "who have made sustained contributions to SUNA as well as urology education, policy, management, clinical practice and research. Each Fellow would support the mission of SUNA." This can be in a broad variety of ways, and each application is evaluated individually.

5. Do I have to have a record of nursing research in order to apply?

No.

6. Is there a limit to the number of fellows who can be inducted in any given year?

No. At this time applications will be individually evaluated, and each one that meets all the criteria for Fellowship will be invited for membership as a Fellow.

7. If I am not selected for Fellowship, how soon can I re-apply?

Applicants may reapply after 2 years, and there is no limit to the number of times an applicant can submit his/her application. The Fellowship committee feels that the 2-year interval will help applicants to add to their application and increase the chances for success in the future.

8. Does having applied previously affect my chances for acceptance in the future?

The Fellow Selection Committee will evaluate your application based on the materials submitted and nothing else. Whether you have applied in previous years is not discussed and will not affect the decision of the committee.

9. When will I be notified about the status of my application

Notification will be sent in early June.

The International Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner candidate for Fellowship in the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates must:

1. Be a member of SUNA in good standing for at least a year prior to application
2. Have completed an approved nursing educational program
3. Have a current active, unrestricted professional license as either an RN, advanced practice nurse or nurse practitioner in his/her home country and be recognized as such
4. Provide evidence of substantial contributions over time to urology nursing in one of the following categories:
   • Teaching and presenting on urology topics
   • Researching urology nursing
   • Policy development for urology patients
   • Leadership in urology nursing
   • Administration/management, as relates to the care of urology patients
   • Clinical practice

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The Associate candidate for Fellowship in the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates must:

1. Be a member of SUNA in good standing for at least a year prior to application
2. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) must have a current license as an LPN or LVN in the United States or its territories and one year of experience in urology nursing practice as an LPN or LVN
3. Other associates must have completed an accredited training program and one year of practice in the field of urology, or three (3) years of in-service training under the supervision of a urology provider
4. Provide evidence of substantial contributions to urology nursing in one of the following categories:
   • Teaching and presenting on urology topics
   • Researching urology nursing
   • Policy development for urology patients
   • Leadership in urology patient care
   • Administration/management, as relates to the care of urology patients
   • Clinical practice

Learn more about FAUNA

The Registered Nurse candidate for Fellowship in the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates must:

1. Be a member of SUNA in good standing for at least a year prior to application
2. Have completed a nationally accredited nursing program
3. Have a current active, unrestricted professional license in the US or its territories
4. Provide evidence of substantial contributions over time to urology nursing in one of the following categories:
   • Teaching and presenting on urology topics
   • Researching urology nursing
   • Policy development for urology patients
   • Leadership in urology nursing
   • Administration/management, as relates to the care of urology patients
   • Clinical practice

Learn more about FAUNA

The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse candidate for Fellowship in the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates must:

1. Be a member of SUNA in good standing for at least a year prior to application
2. Have completed a nationally accredited program
3. Have a current active, unrestricted professional license in the US or its territories
4. Hold a Master’s degree in nursing or a DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice).
5. If a nurse practitioner:
   • Be certified by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), National Certification Corporation (NCC), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB) in a generalist area.
6. If a clinical nurse specialist: a. Be certified by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) in a generalist area.
7. Provide evidence of substantial contributions over time to urology nursing in one of the following categories:
   • Teaching and presenting on urology topics
   • Researching urology nursing
   • Policy development for urology patients
   • Leadership in urology nursing
   • Administration/management, as relates to the care of urology patients
   • Clinical practice

Learn more about FAUNA

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) has established an innovative program to recognize the sustained and influential work of those members who are transforming urology nursing. This program was developed to recognize the outstanding individuals who have continued to have the vision and endurance to move SUNA forward as an organization.

The Fellow program was developed in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of SUNA in 2019, to celebrate the organization’s history and legacy, one that has actively sought to educate health care professionals to provide exemplary care for patients with urology concerns.

Current Fellows

Fellows of the Academy of Urologic Nurses and Associates are SUNA members who have made outstanding, sustained contribution to SUNA and to urology education, policy, management, clinical practice and research. Each Fellow supports the mission of SUNA and becomes a member of a pool from which the SUNA Board and conference committees can seek advice regarding local speaker recommendations, research proposals, and education offerings.

Fellows have made enduring and substantial contributions to the field of urology nursing as teachers, mentors, scholars, clinicians, public policy advocates, and administrators. They provide leadership and are recognized for their expertise in the care of urology patients, practicing to the fullest extent of their education and licensure.

A candidate for fellowship must provide evidence of substantial contributions that have contributed to the care of urology patients and supported SUNA’s Mission.

SUNA Mission

Responsibilities of SUNA Fellows

All individuals accepted as SUNA Fellows are expected to:

• Attend future Fellow introduction ceremonies, to take place during the annual conference
• Maintain membership in SUNA
• Pay annual SUNA Fellow dues, a separate fee in addition to SUNA membership (Active $45; International $45; Associate $35; and Senior $22.50)
• Participate as an active SUNA fellow in a variety of capacities, such as manuscript reviewer, author, task force member, conference presenter, national and local chapter members
• Act as sponsors for future classes of SUNA Fellows

Fellowship Categories

There are four distinct types of Fellowship available for SUNA members, distinguished by licensure. There is only one selection cycle per year, and applicants will be selected based on the strength of their application and supporting letters.

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• Registered Nurse
• Associate
• International Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner

Credentials

All individuals accepted as Fellows of the Academy of Urologic Nurses and Associates will be granted use of the following credentials, as long as they remain in good standing with the Fellowship program: FAUNA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Review Answers to FAQs about FAUNA

Application Process

Individuals who wish to apply for Fellowship must submit an application on or before March 1 of each year. An application is complete only if all required documentation is provided and the required personal statements are included. This includes nominator statements from a FAUNA member, and a supporting letter from a colleague with whom you work that can attest to your enduring and substantial contributions over time to the care of urology patients. A $40 application fee applies and must be submitted along with the completed application for consideration.

Submit Application Online
(Note: SUNA member login required)

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA), is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation incorporated in the state of Oregon. SUNA has been representing the interests of more than 2,000 nurses since 1977, by providing nursing education, clinical practice resources, certification through the Certification Board of Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA), and networking opportunities