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Fellowship of the Society of
Internationally Educated Nurses
(FSIEN)™

The Highest Distinction for IEN Leaders, Mentors, Experts, Advocates, and Professionals

 

The Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN) is the pinnacle honor conferred by the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses in North America (SIENNA). It recognizes internationally educated nurses (IENs) and allied professionals who have made outstanding, sustained, and measurable contributions to the advancement of IEN leadership, policy, education, diversity, and scholarship in North America and globally. FSIEN is a commitment to uphold SIENNA’s mission and exemplify the LEADS competencies.

 

Vision

To be the highest global standard of excellence and recognition for internationally educated nurse leaders.

 

Mission: 

To honor and advance IENs through leadership, education, advocacy, diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and scholarship.

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Why FSIEN?

 

The Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN) was created to recognize and honor the extraordinary contributions of internationally educated nurses (IENs) and their allies. IENs play a vital role in strengthening healthcare systems, yet their leadership, scholarship, and advocacy often go unrecognized. FSIEN establishes a formal, prestigious credential that celebrates their impact, elevates their voices in policy and practice, and ensures their work is acknowledged on par with global nursing leaders.

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FSIEN LEADS​

Fellows must demonstrate excellence in the following five FSIEN LEADS Competencies, each directly contributing to the advancement, recognition, and integration of IENs:

 

Fellows must demonstrate excellence in the following five FSIEN LEADS Competencies, each directly contributing to the advancement, recognition, and integration of IENs:

​

Leadership

Fellows lead transformative initiatives that elevate IEN leaders across healthcare systems, locally, nationally, and globally. They hold influential roles in policy, practice, or education, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of IEN leaders while strengthening IEN visibility, integration, and career progression.

 

Education

Fellows design, deliver, and sustain high-quality continuing education, training, and mentorship opportunities that specifically address the needs of IENs. They promote lifelong learning and evidence-based practice, establishing programs that support IEN transition, growth, and leadership development in diverse healthcare settings.

 

Advocacy

Fellows champion fair, ethical, and inclusive policies for IENs at organizational, local, national, and international levels. They influence legislation, regulations, and organizational reforms that protect and advance IEN rights and welfare, while building partnerships that amplify the IEN voice in global health forums.

 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Fellows advance equity and justice by addressing systemic barriers and discriminatory practices that limit IEN opportunities and representation. They lead initiatives that promote inclusive leadership, cultural humility, and fair access to professional advancement, ensuring that IENs are equitably represented in decision-making roles and that healthcare systems uphold justice in practice and policy.

 

Scholarship

Fellows advance nursing science and practice by conducting research, publishing, and disseminating knowledge that addresses IEN issues. They secure funding or resources to support IEN-focused innovation and share expertise that elevates professional standards, develops frameworks, and generates tools that benefit IEN advancement and success.

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Fellows of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses are granted the prestigious right to use the post-nominal title FSIEN and are formally inducted with public recognition at the SIENNA Annual Conference. They gain opportunities to mentor, teach, and serve as reviewers for future fellowship candidates, while also receiving invitations to exclusive leadership, policy, and global networking forums. In addition, Fellows may be called upon to serve as consultants in the onboarding, acculturation, and mentoring of IENs, extending their influence and impact across the profession.

 

The Fellowship designation is valid for three (3) years and may be renewed by submitting evidence of at least 40 hours of CPD aligned with LEADS competencies, along with proof of continued contributions to leadership, education, advocacy, DEIJ, or scholarship.​​

Download the Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses Handbook

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Recognition & Privileges of FSIEN​

  • Use of the post-nominal title FSIEN.

  • Formal induction and public recognition at the SIENNA Annual Conference.

  • Opportunities to mentor, teach, and serve as a reviewer for future fellowship candidates.

  • Exclusive invitations to leadership, policy, and global networking forums.

  • Serve as consultants for onboarding, acculturation, and mentoring of IENs​

​​

​Pathways to Achieving FSIEN​

 

Pathway 1 – Professional Recognition Pathway

For established leaders with a substantial track record aligned with the FSIEN LEADS competencies.

  1. Application – Submit a formal application including a statement of intent.

  2. FSIEN Dossier Submission – Provide a comprehensive dossier mapping career achievements to the LEADS competencies, supported by evidence of impact, along with one professional reference letter.

  3. Viva Voce – Defend the dossier before the Fellowship Review Panel, demonstrating sustained excellence and influence in the profession.

 

Requirements

  • Submit a statement of intent, CV, and FSIEN Dossier mapping career achievements to the LEADS competencies.

  • Provide one professional reference letter and supporting documents (as needed).

  • Pay the non-refundable application fee.

  • Achieve a minimum overall score of 80% and at least Proficient (4/5) in all LEADS competencies.

  • Defend the dossier in a Viva Voce before the Fellowship Review Panel.

 

Pathway 2 – Academic Pathway

For emerging leaders seeking structured development aligned with the FSIEN LEADS competencies.

Pathway 2 is currently not available and will be offered at a later time.​​​

Dossier Structure for Pathway 1 Applicants must submit their dossier through the official FSIEN application portal. The dossier must follow the sequence outlined below and demonstrate measurable contributions to the advancement of internationally educated nurses (IENs) across all FSIEN LEADS competencies. Each section should be supported by verifiable details, outcomes, and references where appropriate. Introduction Introduce yourself and provide a professional overview of your background. Discuss your work as an internationally educated nurse (IEN) or as a professional advocating for IENs. Explain your motivation and intent for applying to the Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN). Describe how your career aligns with the mission of SIENNA and the FSIEN LEADS competencies. Leadership Discuss your leadership contributions and achievements. Describe how you have led transformative initiatives that elevated IEN leaders across healthcare systems locally, nationally, and globally. Highlight any leadership roles in policy, practice, or education that influenced organizational outcomes. Provide details of measurable impacts, such as improved visibility of IENs, increased integration into professional roles, or the progression of IENs into leadership positions. Include outcomes such as initiatives launched, programs sustained, or policy changes influenced. Education Explain your role in designing, delivering, and sustaining high-quality educational programs specifically for IENs. Describe your work in continuing education, mentorship, and training initiatives that promote lifelong learning and evidence-based practice. Provide examples of programs you established or led that supported IEN transition, growth, or leadership development in healthcare settings. Discuss outcomes such as improved exam success rates, expanded access to training, or enhanced professional competence among IENs. Advocacy Describe your advocacy efforts at organizational, local, national, or international levels. Highlight work in championing fair, ethical, and inclusive policies for IENs. Explain your role in influencing legislation, regulations, or organizational reforms that protected or advanced IEN rights and welfare. Discuss partnerships or collaborations you built to amplify the IEN voice in global health forums. Provide measurable results, such as policy adoption, campaign outcomes, or community impact. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Discuss how you advanced equity and justice for IENs by addressing systemic barriers and discriminatory practices. Provide examples of initiatives you led that promoted inclusive leadership, cultural humility, and fair representation of IENs in decision-making roles. Highlight efforts that ensured equitable access to professional advancement for IENs. Share outcomes such as increased representation in leadership, implementation of DEIJ initiatives, or shifts in organizational culture toward greater inclusion and justice. Scholarship Describe your scholarly contributions that advanced nursing science and practice related to IENs. Highlight any research, publications, toolkits, or presentations you authored. Include details of securing funding or resources to support IEN-focused innovation. Discuss dissemination efforts such as articles, conference presentations, webinars, podcasts, or blogs that shared expertise and elevated professional standards. Provide evidence of impact, such as citations, adoption of frameworks, or measurable influence on practice or policy. Conclusion Summarize your dossier by reflecting on how your leadership, education, advocacy, DEIJ work, and scholarship collectively demonstrate sustained excellence in service to IENs. Reaffirm your commitment to advancing the mission of SIENNA and upholding the values of the FSIEN Fellowship. References (if applicable) Include references in APA 7th edition format for all publications, presentations, policies, or other scholarly work cited in the dossier.

​Application Fees

The Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN) offers two pathways to recognition, each with its own fee structure:

  • Pathway 1 – Professional Recognition Pathway (Portfolio Submission + Viva Voce): US $200*

  • Pathway 2 – Academic Pathway (Course Completion + Viva Voce): US $300* - not offered at this time

* includes 1 year SIENNA Membership

 

Discounts

  • SIENNA Members – Receive a 25% discount on all Fellowship application fees.

  • SIENNA Board and Committee Members – Discounts based on length of service:​​

    • More than 1 year of service: 50% off​

    • More than 2 years of service: 100% off

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Fellowship Validity and Renewal

If granted, the Fellowship designation (FSIEN) is valid for three (3) years from the date of conferment.

To renew Fellowship status, Fellows must submit:

  • Evidence of at least 40 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) aligned with LEADS competencies.

  • Documentation of ongoing contributions in leadership, education, advocacy, DEIJ, or scholarship.

 

Fellows must remain in good standing with SIENNA and adhere to the Code of Ethics. Renewal applications are reviewed under the policies in place at the time of revalidation.

Ready to Apply for FSIEN?

Fellowship Application Information

 

Introduction

 

The Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN) is the highest honor awarded by SIENNA. It recognizes internationally educated nurses (IENs) and allied professionals who have made exceptional and sustained contributions to advancing IEN leadership, education, advocacy, diversity, equity, inclusion, justice (DEIJ), and scholarship in North America and globally.

 

This recognition is grounded in the SIENNA LEADS Competencies, which define excellence in IEN leadership:

  1. Leadership – Inspiring, mentoring, and elevating IEN leaders across healthcare systems.

  2. Education – Delivering high-quality continuing education, training, and professional development for IENs.

  3. Advocacy – Championing fair, ethical, and evidence-based policies that advance IENs.

  4. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice – Promoting cultural humility, systemic reform, and equitable representation for IENs.

  5. Scholarship – Advancing nursing science, research, and innovation that benefit IENs.

 

Evaluation Process

 

All applications are carefully reviewed by a panel of Fellows using standardized criteria aligned with the FSIEN LEADS competencies.

 

1. Application Review

  • Each application is independently reviewed by multiple Fellows.

  • Review includes the applicant’s CV, Dossier mapping to the LEADS competencies, and supporting documents such as the recommendation letter.

  • Applications are assessed for demonstrated impact, alignment with the LEADS competencies, and overall readiness for Fellowship.

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2. Viva Voce

  • Applicants who achieve the required minimum standards in the application review will be invited to a viva voce (oral examination).

  • Applicants who are successful in the first step will receive an invitation to the viva voce. The viva voce is conducted by a panel of Fellows via a secure platform.

  • The purpose of the viva voce is to validate the applicant’s dossier and confirm that they represent the values and standards of the Fellowship. 

  • Applicants who do not meet the minimum standards may be directed to remediation or reapplication in a future cycle. Unsuccessful applicants will receive an email outlining the remediation process and next steps.

 

Please allow 30–60 days for application review. 

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Fellowship Application Form

Section I - Applicant Information

Multi-line address
Country of Residence
Country of Professional Nursing Education

Section II - Eligibility

Select one
I am an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN)
I am a non-IEN professional with a significant record of advocacy and service for IENs

Section III - Pathway Selection and Fees

Application Fee (payment will be collected after submitting your application).

Section 4 – Statement of Intent

Section 5 – Evidence of Achievement

For Pathway 1 – Professional Recognition Applicants:

Attach the following:


  1. Curriculum Vitae / Resume.

  2. One professional reference letter.

  3. FSIEN Dossier mapped to LEADS. *follow the dossier format published in the website

  4. Headshot.

  5. Optional - Supporting documents (e.g., reports, publications, evaluations, policy briefs, media coverage).

Section 6 – Consent to Viva Voce

I understand that part of the FSIEN assessment process includes a viva voce (oral examination) before a Fellowship Review Panel.

 

I consent to:

  1. Participate in the viva voce via in-person or secure online platform

  2. Allow the session to be recorded for documentation and review purposes

  3. Permit the panel to use the recording and notes solely for assessment and archival purposes in accordance with SIENNA’s confidentiality policies

 

Section 7 – Declaration

I affirm that the information provided in this application is true and complete. I understand that false or misleading information may result in disqualification or revocation of the fellowship. I further acknowledge that submission of this application does not guarantee passing or the granting of the Fellow designation. Should my application be unsuccessful, I understand that I may contest or appeal the result in accordance with SIENNA’s published appeals and reconsideration policy. I also confirm that I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of the application, including that all application fees are non-refundable.

Section 8 - SIENNA Photo, Video, and Content Release


I hereby grant the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses in North America (SIENNA) full permission and an unlimited, royalty-free license to use my likeness, image, voice, written submissions, and any materials I provide (including but not limited to videos, photos, audio files, and written content) for SIENNA’s promotional, educational, and media-related purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, use in newsletters, social media, publications, presentations, and websites.


I understand that by submitting these materials, I waive any rights to compensation, royalties, or ownership arising from their use. If I have submitted a written testimonial or story, I grant SIENNA the right to edit, adapt, and publish my work, in part or in full, while maintaining its intended meaning.


If other individuals appear in the materials I am sharing, I confirm that I have obtained their permission to grant SIENNA these same rights.


By providing my submission, I acknowledge and agree to the above terms.

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