Nigeria - Sickle Cell Boot Camp to Promote Nursing Excellence Nationally and Globally Utilizing A Train the Trainer Model

APPLICATION Deadline: Monday, March 24, 2025

The Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) nursing bootcamp began in 2022 as a collaboration between the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH), and the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Professional Associates (IASCNAPA). Originally funded by Global Blood Therapeutics and later partially funded from a US Department of Agriculture grant, the bootcamps were held in Memphis, TN. Since that time there have been 6 nursing bootcamps with participants from 24 states and 9 countries globally. Using the train-the-trainer model the nurses attending the bootcamp have leveraged the knowledge obtained and educated more than 2,000 healthcare providers in SCD.

In recent years, it is more difficult for nurses to obtain visas to enter the US. IASCNAPA agreed to fund a bootcamp in Abuja, Nigeria developed in collaboration with nursing professionals throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, UTHSC, and volunteer instructors from institutions across the US.

We welcome all levels of nurses, those with years of sickle cell patient experience and those new to the field. We want a variety of experience levels and broad geographic representation.

The SCD nursing bootcamp was developed using an evidenced-based SCD curriculum developed by nursing experts throughout the US. The curriculum developers and instructors are Drs. Dominique Bulgin, Kathy Burns, Elisabeth Chismark, Sara Day, Artangela Henry, Cheedy Jaja, Stephanie Ibemere, Cheryl Brewer, Dora Clayton-Jones, Keesha Roach, Selorm Ansah, Lori Vick, and Christina Wills; as well as Yvonne Carroll, Pat Corley, Rae Blaylark, Brooke Clemons, and Charlene Sylvestre. Planning committee for Abuja bootcamp include Drs. Lewis Hsu, Cheedy Jaja, Sara Day, Stephanie Ibemere, Keesha Roach, Victoria Odesina, and Charlene Slyvestre, Philomena Okonkwo, and Yvonne Carroll. A special thank you to Dr. Obiageli Nnodu and her staff and the IVAN Research Institute for all of the help with logistics for this bootcamp.

Participants must be able to attend all days of the bootcamp and must be a registered nurse actively involved with the SCD patient community. There is limited space, please do not apply if you cannot attend the entire bootcamp.

Date: Arrive Morning of Friday, May 30, 2025 and Depart the Morning of Monday, June 2, 2025.

Place: Johnwood Hotel by Bolton, 6 Sokode Cres, Wuse, Abuja 904101, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Application Deadline: Monday March 24, 2025

Bootcamp organizers will provide bootcamp participants with lodging and food at the Johnwood Hotel throughout the bootcamp. Breakfast, tea, lunch and dinner will be provided on full days May 31, & June 1, 2025. Dinner will be provided May 30, 2025.

Flights will be provided for participants in Nigeria, however, those traveling from outside of Nigeria will be responsible for their own transportation to Abuja.

The application is a competitive process; only 25 participants will be selected. Participants must submit acknowledgement of acceptance and intention to attend the bootcamp within one week after notification.

This bootcamp is an in-person interactive event. Participants must be fluent in English and must actively participate in the evidence-based practice exercises, break-out sessions, and lively discussions. Nurses will receive the necessary tools to educate other healthcare professionals about SCD and must commit to conducting (and providing documentation) for at least one SCD training session within 12 months after the bootcamp.

After completion of the bootcamp attendees are required to participate in follow-up activities for at least 12 months, including intermittent phone calls or Zoom meetings to discuss how participants utilized and shared the knowledge obtained during the bootcamp and how the organizers can improve the bootcamp. Additionally photographs will be taken intermittently throughout the bootcamp and will be used by UTHSC, SJCRH, and IASCNAPA in connection with the Train the Trainer SCD Nursing Bootcamp - applying and signing the application provides approval to use photographs from the bootcamp.

Date*

Date

Hour MinutesAM/PM Option

Are you fluent in English?*

Sorry, you are not eligible to apply. Only nurses fluent in English can attend, we do not have translation services.

Are you a registered nurse *

Sorry, you are not eligible to apply. Only registered nurses actively involved in the SCD community through patient care, research, policy, advocacy, or academia that can attend the entire bootcamp are eligible to apply.

If you do not live in the Nigeria, are you able to obtain a passport and visa (if required) that is valid 6 months past the start of the bootcamp?*

How are you connected with patients with SCD?*

If other, please specify your SCD connection.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Email*

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com

Full Name of Place of Employment*

Street Address *

City *

State/Province*

Country*

If you reside in Nigeria, please enter your geopolitical zone

Work Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Full Home Address

Your WhatsApp Cell Phone Number (if you don't have a WhatsApp number, please join in order for us to communicate with you during the bootcamp - it's free)*

Please enter a valid phone number.

If your country code is 3 numbers, please add your full What's App phone number below.

In 150 words or less, please tell us why you want to attend the SCD Nursing Train the Trainer Bootcamp and your connections to sickle cell patients. Please provide as much information as possible.*

In 150 words or less, please tell us how long you have been involved with SCD patients or in the SCD community and how you will use the knowledge gained at the bootcamp to spread knowledge about SCD. *

I acknowledge that I will be able to attend the entire bootcamp, if selected. Also, I acknowledge that photographs will be taken periodically during the bootcamp, and consent to allow my photograph, and likeness (edited or unedited) to be used by the UTHSC, SJRCH, and IASCNAPA in connection with the Train-the-Trainer Sickle Cell Nursing Bootcamp without payment. I understand that I may revoke the consent at any time by providing written notice to the bootcamp organizers and that my revocation will not affect any previously released photographs or media advertisements.*

Agree.

By selecting the checkbox below, you confirm that all information provided is accurate and truthful to the best of your knowledge. Additionally, you agree to conduct at least one SCD training session within 12 months of completing the bootcamp (with documentation), and to participate in periodic Zoom and/or phone calls for a minimum of 12 months to follow up on bootcamp-related activities.*

Agree

Signature (Your typed name constitutes your electronic signature). *

Sickle Cell Disease Nursing Excellence Train-the-Trainer Boot Camp in Abuja, Nigeria