SIENNA
Society of Internationally Educated Nurses and Nursing Allies
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 and Nursing Allies (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.
FSIEN LEADS
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.
Fellows must demonstrate excellence in the following five FSIEN LEADS Competencies, each directly contributing to the advancement, recognition, and integration of IENs.
LEADS COMPETENCIES
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, INCLUSIVITY, AND JUSTICE (DEIJ)
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.
Benefits and Privileges
Fellows 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.
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Use of the post-nominal title FSIEN.
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Formal induction and public recognition at the SIENNA Annual Conference.
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Opportunities to mentor, teach, and serve as a reviewer for future fellowship candidates.
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Exclusive invitations to leadership, policy, and global networking forums.
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Serve as consultants for onboarding, acculturation, and mentoring of IENs
Fellowship Validity, Renewal, and Use of FSIEN Designation
The FSIEN designation is valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of conferment. Fellows may use the post-nominal title “FSIEN” for the duration of their active status, provided they remain in good standing with SIENNA, adhere to the Code of Ethics, and maintain active SIENNA Ambassador status. To renew the Fellowship and retain the right to use the designation, Fellows must submit evidence of at least 40 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) aligned with the LEADS competencies, along with documentation of ongoing contributions in leadership, education, advocacy, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ), or scholarship. Renewal applications are reviewed in accordance with the policies in effect at the time of revalidation, and the use of the FSIEN designation may be revoked if these requirements are not met.
Download the Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses Handbook
Fellowship Pathways
Pathway 1
Professional Recognition Pathway
For established leaders with a substantial track record aligned with the FSIEN LEADS competencies.
Pathway 2
Academic Pathway
For emerging leaders seeking structured development aligned with the FSIEN LEADS competencies.
Pathway 1 Application Process
The FSIEN application process is a structured, multi-stage evaluation designed to assess each candidate’s demonstrated impact, excellence, and alignment with the LEADS competencies.
1. Submit Your Application
Submit a complete application package that includes your curriculum vitae, a statement of intent, a comprehensive FSIEN dossier mapping your career achievements to the LEADS competencies with clear and verifiable evidence of impact, and one professional reference letter. The required application fee must be paid in full at the time of submission; applications without payment will be considered incomplete and will not proceed to review.
2. Dossier Evaluation
All applications undergo a blinded and standardized evaluation process to ensure fairness, consistency, and objectivity. Each submission is assigned to Fellowship Dossier Evaluators who assess the dossier using the FSIEN Pathway 1 rubric aligned with the LEADS competencies. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in at least four of the five LEADS domains and achieve a minimum overall score of 80 percent to advance to the next stage.
3. Viva Voce
Candidates who meet the required threshold will be formally invited to participate in the viva voce. During this stage, applicants present and defend their dossier before the Fellowship Viva Voce Panel, demonstrating the authenticity, depth, and impact of their contributions. The viva voce serves as the final assessment to confirm readiness for Fellowship and to support the recommendation for conferment.
Successful Candidates
Successful candidates will be formally notified via email and will be publicly recognized through FSIEN and SIENNA communication channels, including social media. Formal induction will take place during the SIENNA Annual IEN Global Convention.
Unsuccessful Candidates
Candidates who are not successful will be notified via email and will receive individualized remediation guidance and recommendations for future application.
Dossier Structure for Pathway 1
Candidates 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 must not exceed 400 words and should be supported by clear, verifiable evidence of impact, outcomes, and references where appropriate.
I. Statement of Intent
Provide a concise overview of your professional background and work as an internationally educated nurse (IEN) or as a professional advocating for IENs. Clearly articulate your motivation for applying to the Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN) and how your career aligns with the mission of SIENNA and the FSIEN LEADS competencies.
III. 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.
V. Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, 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.
VII. Future Impact and Strategic Contributions
Clearly articulate the future impact of your work and your plans for continued contribution, including how you will further advance leadership, education, advocacy, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ), and scholarship. Emphasize your ongoing commitment to the mission and vision of both FSIEN and SIENNA, and how you will contribute to strengthening the global recognition, integration, and advancement of IENs through your continued leadership and influence.
II. 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.
IV. 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.
VI. 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.
VIII. Appendix
Provide comprehensive supporting documentation that substantiates the claims made throughout your dossier. This may include evidence of impact, such as reports, program evaluations, policy documents, publications, presentations, media features, awards, certificates, and letters of endorsement. Applicants may also include links to online materials, portfolios, or digital media that demonstrate measurable outcomes and professional contributions relevant to the FSIEN LEADS competencies.
Pathway 2
Pathway 2 is currently not available and will be offered at a later time.
Application Fees
The Fellowship of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN) offers two pathways to recognition, each with its own fee structure:
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Pathway 1 – Professional Recognition Pathway (Portfolio Submission + Viva Voce): US $250*
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Pathway 2 – Academic Pathway (Course Completion + Viva Voce): US $350* - not offered at this time
* includes 1 year SIENNA Membership
Discounts
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SIENNA Ambassadors – Receive a 20% discount on all Fellowship application fees.
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SIENNA Board and Committee Members – Receive a 40% discount on all Fellowship application fees.
