to be successful
as a nurse caring for oncology patients. I have
benefited more from these 8 weeks than any
experience in clinical, and am so grateful for
this opportunity”
Fairfield University, 2015
What do we do?
We fund and facilitate summer internships for college nursing students at leading hospitals in the oncology field.
Each summer, approximately 30 college students are selected for our Fellowship program through a rigorous application process. To qualify, applicants must be rising seniors interested in the oncology nursing field. Our interns, fondly known as "Flynn Fellows”, spend 8-10 weeks where they gain extensive clinical knowledge and experience in oncology nursing
Our program goals are to:
- Stimulate the career interest and foster the professional development of the next generation of oncology nurses
- Raise the visibility of oncology nursing as a career choice
- Provide a vehicle to expose the “best and brightest” undergraduate nursing students to the critically important and highly rewarding field of oncology care
- Immerse nursing students in a customized, Oncology-specific, comprehensive clinical program, thus providing them with first-hand knowledge and exposure in this important specialized field
- Promote effective partnerships between leading cancer care hospitals and top nursing school programs, thus helping to attract, inspire, and develop future oncology nurses
- Improve the quality of care for future cancer patients and their families
PROGRAM SCOPE
Our Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program spans a comprehensive scope of direct clinical and observational learning experiences, including exposure to:
- Oncology Nursing (roles/typical responsibilities, “best practices”, compassionate caregiving, etc.)
- Treatment Plans & Processes (e.g. chemotherapy, infusion services, radiation therapy, patient education, plans of care, etc.)
- Medical & Surgical Oncology
- Cancer Research & Clinical Trials
- Palliative Care
- Hospice Services
- Patient & Family Support Programs
In addition, the program’s academic content includes required reading (Being Mortal, The Conversation, and The Art of Dying Well), taking certain leading online course (ONS’ “Cancer Basics”, ELNEC’s “End-of-Life Communication Skills”), and completing and presenting an “Evidence-based Practice” research project on some aspect of Oncology care.
Our Origin Story
In the loving memory of his wife Susan 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 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 Nurse 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 experience in oncology nursing plus exposure to "best practices" and expert training in compassionate care, including palliative care
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 participants. The total number of student nurse participants has expanded from 13 Fellows in 2014 to over 30 Flynn Fellows planned in 2021, primarily reflecting the addition of a new Pediatric Oncology Nursing Program track with six leading Pediatric Hospitals. A listing of all currently participating hospitals and nursing schools is included on the FELLOWSHIPS page. Over time, the goal is to expand this program nationally.
- To continually improve the content and quality of this Program by sharing "best practices" among Hospital participants and collaborating with them on Program improvements (e.g. continuing education/development of Program grads)
- To maximize the Program's effectiveness in attracting, inspiring and helping to develop the next generation of Oncology Nurses
- To successfully use this Program as a "talent pipeline" at all participating Hospitals for their upcoming staffing needs
- To develop and implement a sustainable long-term Funding Plan (including possible Grants, financial partners--i.e. foundations/corporations/individuals--matching gifts, and special events)
- To actively engage Flynn Fellow program grads in the marketing, advocacy, and sustainability of this Program
We are now on Instagram!
Follow us @flynnfellowship to see program updates, intern spotlights, and announcements.
The stipend cost of one Summer Intern (“Flynn Fellow”) in this vital "resource development" program ranges between $4,000-$6,000 (depending primarily on program length) and currently averages approximately $5,000. Please consider joining us in supporting this program. Imagine the number of lives we can positively impact together by developing the next generation of much needed Oncology Nurses!
If you are interested in contributing to help support the continuation and future expansion of this highly impactful program, please go to the DONATE Page.
