An Eye on Recruitment

New Project Aims to Mentor Oncology Student Nurses

Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center is sponsoring an innovative pilot program, providing six qualified student nurses the opportunity to learn about the oncology nursing specialty. In the “Spend a Day with an Oncology Nurse” program, students spend one eight-hour day shift with an expert oncology nurse. The project is geared to select students, who exhibit the most potential and expose them to the oncology service line while providing them interaction with experienced nurses and patients.

Phase one of the program is currently underway and will conclude April 23. Its purpose is to recruit and retain talented oncology nurses. “This program helps us achieve our goal of long-term outreach to students with potential. It develops interest early on and nurtures the desire for a specific position in Hematology/Oncology here at BWH,” said Nancy Hickey, director of Personnel Resource Application.

Kimberly Irwin, a Simmons College nursing student had the opportunity to spend a day with Oncology nurse Susan McDonald. “This is a new experience and it will expose me to a new environment and nursing specialty. This opportunity will help me make more informed career decisions after college.”

“It takes a special type of nurse to work in this specialty. The nurses are the
backbone to the oncology service team and we want to recruit the best and the
brightest students,” said Escel Catambay, RN, MSN, assistant nurse manager for Diversity and Project Coordinator.