Donna Poole Scholarship

The Donna Poole Scholarship Program supports psychiatric mental health nursing graduate students and advanced practice psychiatric nurses pursuing degrees in the areas of law, public policy, or public health. The Lois Price Spratlen Foundation will award a $5,000 scholarship if a deserving candidate is selected in the Fall of 2025.  

The purpose of the Donna Poole Scholarship Program is to support students building on the legacy of Donna Poole in advocating for and working to strengthen mental health care.

Scholarships are funded by donations from our colleagues in the nursing and mental health community, Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (AAPPN) members, and community members interested in improving psychiatric mental health nursing in our state.

In addition to the monetary award, the Donna Poole Scholar will receive a free registration for the AAPPN 2025 Annual Conference, to be held October 4, 2025, at the Seattle Hilton Airport Convention Center.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Pacific on July 15, 2025.

General Information

All application information will be held in strict confidence.

The Lois Price Spratlen Foundation will select scholarship recipients.

  • This scholarship is a one-time award.

  • New recipients will be selected annually.

  • Scholarship recipients will be notified by email.

  • Scholarship money will be distributed no later than November 30, 2025.

The Foundation reserves the right to alter distribution of scholarships depending on applications received.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Foundation office at 360-734-3166 or email Kirk Roberts at office@theLois.org.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must be residents in Washington State.

Applicants who are nurse practitioner students must be enrolled in a psychiatric mental health nursing graduate program during the 2025-26 academic year (Fall-Summer) either:

  • In Washington State, or

  • In a distance-learning institution which has Washington DOH-approved clinical site placements for out-of-state nursing programs.

Licensed advanced practice psychiatric nurses in Washington State must be enrolled in an accredited degree program in the areas of law, public policy, or public health during the 2025-26 academic year (Fall-Summer).

Applicants do not have to be enrolled for the entire year.

Application Requirements FOR ALL CANDIDATES

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Materials submitted beyond those listed below will not be taken into consideration.

Personal Statement

Format:

  • PDF

  • Limit of 750 words - statements that exceed the word limit will not be considered

  • 12-pt. font

  • double-spaced

Content: Detail professional work, academic achievement, and professional goals in the areas of law, public policy, or public health related to mental health care.

Enrollment Confirmation

Official confirmation (PDF format) of applicant’s enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Résumé

A current résumé in PDF format.

Letter of Recommendation

Letter of recommendation (PDF format) from a faculty member or other person, e.g., supervisor, professional colleague, familiar with the applicant’s achievements in the areas of law, public policy, or public health.

ADDITIONAL Application Requirement FOR LICENSED ADVANCED PRACTICE PSYCHIATRIC NURSES IN A LAW, PUBLIC POLICY, OR PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM

  • Washington State Nurse Practitioner License Number (submitted in online application form)

Award Criteria

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of:

  • Demonstrated commitment to strengthening mental health care in the state of Washington in the areas of law, public policy, or public health.

  • History of activities supporting commitment to strengthening mental health care in the state of Washington.

  • Quality of recommendation.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Foundation office at 360-734-3166 or email Kirk Roberts at office@theLois.org.