DFCI Logo
DFCI Logo

About Nursing and Patient Care Services

    In this section

    The Department of Nursing and Patient Care Services (NPCS) at Dana-Farber is committed to excellence and to compassionate patient- and caregiver-centered care.

    three-nurses653x447.jpg

    Our Vision

    In partnership with patients and caregivers, and in collaboration with our colleagues and community, we will be world leaders in eradicating the burden of cancer and related diseases through care, discovery, training, and education in a culturally humble and inclusive environment.

    Our Mission

    Provide exceptional, compassionate, relationship-based care grounded in research, education, and advocacy to serve the unique needs of patients, caregivers, and communities.

    Our Values

    Impact

    • We provide evidence-based, comprehensive patient- and caregiver-centered care in an accepting and affirming environment.

    Excellence

    • We practice in interdisciplinary teams with a precision health focus, guided by shared decision-making and collaboration with our patients and their caregivers.

    Compassion and Respect

    • We demonstrate compassion and respect for patients, caregivers, and each other through practices of self-care, inclusive behaviors, and ethical conduct.

    Discovery

    • We are committed to continuous improvement by leading meaningful change and advocating for those in need. We promote a high spirit of inquiry, innovation, education, and mentoring.

    Equity and Inclusion

    • We provide culturally humble care to our patients, learning from each patient and their unique circumstances. We promote an inclusive work environment where all staff can thrive.

    Patient- and Family-Centered Care Principles

    • People are treated with dignity and respect.
    • Clinicians, researchers, and staff communicate complete and unbiased information to patients and families in ways that are affirming and useful.
    • Patients and families build on their strengths by participating in experiences that enhance control and independence.
    • Clinicians and staff prioritize knowing the patient and family while developing therapeutic relationships over time to assure coordination and continuity in the care delivery experience.
    • Collaboration among patients, families, clinicians, and staff occurs in the delivery of care, as well as in the work of institutional policy making, program development, and professional education.
    nursing-professional-practice-model-040824.png

    Nursing Department Professional Practice Model

    Dana-Farber’s nursing professional practice model (PPM) illustrates how nurses practice, collaborate, communicate, and develop professionally to provide quality care to patients and caregivers. In February 2023, a shared governance workgroup was launched to modernize the PPM in alignment with the evolution of nursing care. The approved PPM – voted on by staff – is grounded in the principles of the synergy model for patient care (Curley, MA, 2007), and illustrates nursing’s alignment with Dana-Farber’s mission, vision, and values. Nurses provide patient-centered care using a primary nurse care delivery model. Primary nursing empowers nurses in various practice settings to consistently and comprehensively address their patients' care, treatment plans, understanding of the plans, and continuity of care needs.

    Zarkin Family Fund

    In this video, Amy Zarkin Reiner shares why her care experience at Dana-Farber compelled her family to give back. She and her family established a fund for Dana-Farber nurses to rejuvenate and renew themselves through massages, guest speakers, a hand-written birthday card, retreats, and more.

    Learn More About Nursing at Dana-Farber

    cantor-center-staff-2653x447.jpg

    Cantor Center for Research in Nursing

    The mission of the Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services is to reduce the burden of cancer through scholarly inquiry and rigorous research.