An insider鈥檚 view of oncology nursing through the Flynn Fellowship
Seniors Maura Peifer, Emily Treveloni and Addison Wallace reflect on last summer鈥檚 unique experience in cancer care.
#inmywords #Iownmynursingcareer
Emily Treveloni and Addison Wallace (left) were selected as the Flynn Fellows at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and enjoyed their broad oncology experience last summer.
The Susan D. Flynn Oncology Fellowship is a once in a lifetime opportunity that allows rising senior nursing students to gain first-hand experience in the field of oncology. Throughout our Fellowship, we were able to work as student externs on an inpatient oncology floor at either the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania or Children鈥檚 Hospital of Philadelphia.
While providing care on the floors, we were able to observe the process of blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, administering chemotherapy infusions, and much more. We also had the unique opportunity to spend time off the floor shadowing other oncology units, such as the bone marrow transplant clinic, radiation units, chemotherapy infusion suites and the medical ICU.
Maura Peifer (3rd from right) with alumna Jen Sullivan from CHOP, Fred Flynn and other CHOP Flynn Fellows.
Through these experiences, we were able to gain the full scope of oncology from inpatient to outpatient care. In addition, at the end of the program, we also had the amazing opportunity to complete our own evidence-based practice research projects and then present it to our supervisory management, as well as Mr. Fred Flynn, the founder of this incredible program.
Topics included:
路 Emily Treveloni: "If Pharmacological Education Reduces the Risk of Under-Managed Pain in the Future for Oncology Patients."
路 Addison Wallace: "Is a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program Able to Help Combat Compassion Fatigue in Oncology Nursing?"
路 Maura Peifer: "The Effects of Night Shift Nursing on Health."
Ultimately, this program not only enhanced our knowledge of oncology but also allowed us to develop our nursing skills and build confidence, which has helped substantially in the clinical setting. As we move forward in our careers, we will take the knowledge and experience we gained from this fellowship and implement it as we take care of our own patients.