What is the Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship?
In the loving memory of his wife Susan D. Flynn, who died of ovarian cancer in 2013, and out of respect for the wonderful quality of nursing care she received during her illness, her husband Fred created the Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program to help stimulate the career interest and foster the professional development of potential Oncology Nurses. The program, which was modeled after the Carol A. Ghiloni Oncology Nursing Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital which Fred co-sponsors, is available to rising seniors at several leading undergraduate nursing schools. The Fellowship provides aspiring nurses with a comprehensive clinical exposure to oncology nursing plus exposure to "best practices" and expert training in compassionate care. Opportunities to attend various pertinent internal educational programs and meetings with key hospital staff members provide additional learning experiences for the Fellows.
In 2014 this Fellowship Program was successfully “piloted” with Greenwich Hospital, Stamford Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Several additional leading cancer care hospitals have since been added as program partners. The total number of student nurse participants was expanded from 26 Fellows in 2015 to 36 Flynn Fellows in 2016, primarily reflecting the addition of a new Pediatric Oncology Nursing Program track with three leading Pediatric Hospitals. Over time, the goal is to expand this program nationally.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
In 2016, the following hospitals participated in the Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program:
• Boston Children's Hospital (Boston, MA)
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA)
• Emory University Hospital & Winship Cancer Center (Atlanta, GA)
• Greenwich Hospital (Greenwich, CT)
• Hartford Hospital (Hartford, CT)
• Hospital of University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
• Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD)
• Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
• NC Cancer Hospital (Chapel Hill, NC)
• New York Presbyterian Hospital (New York, NY)
• Stamford Hospital (Stamford, CT)
• UCONN Health Center (Farmington, CT)
• Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (Dover, NH)
In addition, several of the country’s leading undergraduate Nursing Schools are participating in this program, including:
• Boston College
• Catholic University of America
• Emory University
• Fairfield University
• George Washington University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Molloy College
• Sacred Heart University
• Saint Anselm College
• University of Connecticut
• University of North Carolina
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of St. Joseph
• Villanova University
In 2014 this Fellowship Program was successfully “piloted” with Greenwich Hospital, Stamford Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Several additional leading cancer care hospitals have since been added as program partners. The total number of student nurse participants was expanded from 26 Fellows in 2015 to 36 Flynn Fellows in 2016, primarily reflecting the addition of a new Pediatric Oncology Nursing Program track with three leading Pediatric Hospitals. Over time, the goal is to expand this program nationally.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
In 2016, the following hospitals participated in the Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program:
• Boston Children's Hospital (Boston, MA)
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA)
• Emory University Hospital & Winship Cancer Center (Atlanta, GA)
• Greenwich Hospital (Greenwich, CT)
• Hartford Hospital (Hartford, CT)
• Hospital of University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
• Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD)
• Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
• NC Cancer Hospital (Chapel Hill, NC)
• New York Presbyterian Hospital (New York, NY)
• Stamford Hospital (Stamford, CT)
• UCONN Health Center (Farmington, CT)
• Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (Dover, NH)
In addition, several of the country’s leading undergraduate Nursing Schools are participating in this program, including:
• Boston College
• Catholic University of America
• Emory University
• Fairfield University
• George Washington University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Molloy College
• Sacred Heart University
• Saint Anselm College
• University of Connecticut
• University of North Carolina
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of St. Joseph
• Villanova University
Pictures of Mr. Flynn, Susan and Their Family
Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship 2017
Maxwell Sorett was placed at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill-Cornell. He was rotated between three medical oncology units, one outpatient infusion center, and one radiation oncology clinic. He presented an evidence-based research project on utilizing non-pharmacological techniques to better control a cancer patient’s pain.
“My time as a Flynn Fellow at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Hospital was truly unforgettable. During my eight weeks there, I was rotated to three medical oncology units, one radiation oncology clinic, and one outpatient infusion center. I cannot emphasize enough how valuable this experience was not only to my professional growth, but also to my personal growth. The nature of cancer makes hematology/oncology nursing extremely complex. While, of course, the cancer itself is a major concern, you’re always having to balance medication/treatment-related side effects, complications, and psychosocial problems that arise. Learning to master this balancing act by shadowing the nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian was the most valuable aspect of this program. I was forced to think holistically, and understand not only individual problems, but the contexts in which they arose. Just as well, I learned the value of simply sitting and listening to patients. Cancer is truly one of the most terrifying things that can happen to a person. Having the privilege to be the person a cancer patient could talk or vent to is indescribable. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have learned from both patients and nurses alike, and I am sure that the knowledge I gained through my internship will be very useful for my future career.”
-Maxwell Sorett (Flynn Fellow 2017)
“My time as a Flynn Fellow at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Hospital was truly unforgettable. During my eight weeks there, I was rotated to three medical oncology units, one radiation oncology clinic, and one outpatient infusion center. I cannot emphasize enough how valuable this experience was not only to my professional growth, but also to my personal growth. The nature of cancer makes hematology/oncology nursing extremely complex. While, of course, the cancer itself is a major concern, you’re always having to balance medication/treatment-related side effects, complications, and psychosocial problems that arise. Learning to master this balancing act by shadowing the nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian was the most valuable aspect of this program. I was forced to think holistically, and understand not only individual problems, but the contexts in which they arose. Just as well, I learned the value of simply sitting and listening to patients. Cancer is truly one of the most terrifying things that can happen to a person. Having the privilege to be the person a cancer patient could talk or vent to is indescribable. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have learned from both patients and nurses alike, and I am sure that the knowledge I gained through my internship will be very useful for my future career.”
-Maxwell Sorett (Flynn Fellow 2017)
Elizabeth was placed at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and was rotated between a Surgical Oncology Unit and a Medical Oncology Unit. She presented an evidence-based research project on the effects of MediHoney on wound care in oncology and radiation patients.
“The Flynn Oncology Fellowship was an experience of a lifetime. It not only allowed me to grow as an individual but it allowed me to enhance my skills as a future nurse. I was fortunate enough to work at Columbia University Medical Center for 2 months. I spent one month on the Surgical Oncology unit and one month on Medical Oncology. I met many different types of people who were suffering from all different ailments. Some just newly diagnosed at the age of 30 and others going through one of many rounds of chemo and radiation. This fellowship taught me to care for a person as a whole and to not define them by their disease. Many of the patients that I met really just needed someone to talk to, and they truly appreciated the few extra minutes I spent with them explaining things they did not understand. I also learned that it is vital to not only care for the patient themselves but to also care for their family members. As a nurse there will be times you will be comforting the husband of someone who is crying in the hallway due to fear or even a whole family that just lost their 45 year old mother to breast cancer. It truly takes patience, kindness, compassion and love. During this fellowship I was able to witness many different types of chemotherapy administration including oral, IV, and even bedside intrathecal chemo administration. I saw many lumbar punctures, and bone marrow aspirations. I was able to enhance technical skills such foley insertion, suctioning, and wound care. I learned how to draw blood through multiple central lines, observed many IV insertions and was even able to observe chest tube suction via a pleurx drain. I took part in multiple rapid responses and performed post mortem care. My favorite part about this fellowship was the patient interaction I was able to have. I will never forget this summer and all that I have learned. I can attest to the fact that I grew as an individual and that I cannot wait to be a nurse!” -Elizabeth Jose (Flynn Fellow 2017) |
Emily was placed at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian on a Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit that incorporated Bone Marrow Transplant patients along with some Medical Surgical Pediatric patients. She presented an evidence-based research project on Fertility Preservation among Pediatric Oncology patients to enhance their future quality of life.
“The Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship was the most worthwhile and unforgettable experience I have ever had the honor of receiving. Throughout the eight weeks, I learned more and worked harder than I ever thought possible. I completed my fellowship at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian on a Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit that incorporated Bone Marrow Transplant patients and some medical surgical patients. This program allowed me to expand my knowledge set and understanding on many different areas encompassed within the oncology nursing field. However, beyond the knowledge and educational aspect of the fellowship, I learned how to truly be with a patient and their family through the hardest times of their lives. I never knew how much my love for nursing could flourish in just eight short weeks. I attribute this to learning to not only work with my skills but also with my heart. I had patients ranging from just days old up until 21 years of age. I was able to get a good grasp of human growth and development while being exposed to each different age group. By becoming familiar with different characteristics of each age group, I was better able to treat my patients on a whole different patient-centered level. During my time on the unit, I got to observe, learn, and practice several different nursing interventions and skills. My preceptor and all the nurses on the unit were so willing to teach me and get me involved. I felt like a real nurse at times! I got to assist with NG tube and foley insertions, chemotherapy administration, blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, medication administration through numerous routes. I became accustomed to patients with ports, broviacs, and central lines and the nursing skills that came with them such as: drawing blood, changing dressings, and accessing a port. This gave me an opportunity to work vigorously on my sterile technique so that each oncology patient I encountered was safe from acquiring an infection. The list of nursing skills I was able to observe would go on a mile. The most memorable part of the fellowship was the beautiful nurse-patient relationship I was able to establish and build with my patients and their families. It was nearly impossible not to take the work home with me and wonder how my patients and their families were doing and progressing. I would do the entire experience over in a heart beat if I had the choice.” - Emily Berg (Flynn Fellow 2017) |
Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship 2016Stephanie Jorgensen, Arita Busgith & Stefanie Pia
|
Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship 2015Lauren Henry, Patricia Mele, Kelly Murphy & Kristen Ponticelli
|