SEATTLE — May 19, 2016 — Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) nurses and administrators gathered Friday, May 13, 2016, to celebrate local nursing students’ passion to pursue oncology nursing. Called the “Future of Oncology Nursing Scholarship,” this second annual scholarship program awarded three students each with a $3,000 scholarship to put toward their senior year of nursing school.
“We began this program two years ago to ensure the next generation knows how important they are in the lives of patients with cancer,” said Kathleen Shannon Dorcy, RN, Ph.D., director of clinical nursing research, education and practice at SCCA.
Nurses and administrators at SCCA developed the scholarship program to also support the future of the highly specialized profession. Oncology nurses are critical in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer—from conducting research to performing complicated procedures, such as bone marrow biopsies.
SCCA’s nursing executives, joined by the deans and leaders from the three local nursing colleges, presented the “Future of Oncology Nursing Scholarship” awards to the following three students.
Anna Stewart from Orting, Washington
Award presented by dean and professor Lorie Wild, RN, Ph.D. of the School of Health Sciences at Seattle Pacific University.
Stewart was inspired to become an oncology nurse because of her grandfather’s diagnosis with cancer. “Throughout his treatment, I watched and was amazed by his oncology nurses. They made a point to include family in every aspect of my grandpa’s treatment, making sure we understood what was occurring and were involved,” she said.
Alisa Pham from Seattle, Washington
Award presented by dean and professor Kristen M. Swanson, RN, Ph.D. and instructor Karla Mather, RN, MSN, OCN from the College of Nursing at Seattle University.
Pham was the first person in her family to go to college and was inspired to become an oncology nurse after witnessing the nurses who helped care for her mother during her mother’s battle with cancer. “They helped me advocate for her…I have found my voice as an advocate for patients,” she said.
Patricia Smith from Seattle, Washington
Award presented by professor and chair of Family and Child Nursing Gail Houck, RN, Ph.D.; assistant professor of Family and Child Nursing Amy Walker, RN, Ph.D.; and assistant dean for advancement Renee Duprel, all from the University of Washington School of Nursing.
Smith was inspired to become a nurse after her youngest son had brain surgery for uncontrolled seizures. “I started pre-nursing classes… got my nursing assistant license and applied for a nursing assistant job at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The job was inpatient oncology. I remember my first day, I was terrified… I realized then that I was working in a place unimaginable to most… this career change would be the most challenging decision I ever made,” she said.
More than 40 students applied for the scholarship program. To qualify, each student needed to be in their junior year, have a 3.2 or higher grade-point average and a faculty recommendation. Each student also completed a 250-word essay about why they would consider a career in oncology nursing.
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