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Dana-Farber Registered Nurse Residency Program

  • Cindy Quijada, BSN, RN and Keysha Miralda, BSN, RN

    Cindy Quijada, BSN, RN and Keysha Miralda, BSN, RN, participated in the Infusion Nurse Residency Program.

  • The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Registered Nurse Residency Program is a 12-month program that builds on the education and skills of newly licensed nurses (NLNs) and prepares them to practice nursing in ambulatory oncology settings.

    Throughout this year-long position, nurse residents are immersed in all aspects of oncology nursing care in an environment that supports learning and growth. The curriculum is centered around Oncology Nursing Scope and Standards Practice (2019) and Nurse of the Future Competencies (2016).

    Residents are provided with mentorship and guidance throughout the program as they focus on developing critical reasoning in oncology, advancing their nursing skills, and increasing their comfort in providing nursing care for complex, diverse patient populations. Skill development areas include assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care for oncology patients.

    Successful transition into clinical nursing practice is a primary goal of this program. Upon completion of this program, residents may apply for a permanent nursing position at Dana-Farber.

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  • "I deeply valued the NLN residency program's breadth and scope. Throughout the year we were introduced to the clinical research labs and exam clinics and infusion units and the inpatient hospital and the Kraft donor center (the list goes on). This sheer breadth of experience allowed us to forge connections with colleagues by learning through doing what a day in the life of a nurse looks like in different clinics and departments, and painted an intricate picture of Dana-Farber as the collected works of all the people it takes to bring truly excellent care to our patients."

    — Sheridan Aspinwall, BSN, RN (Graduate Research Specialty, 2019). Currently, a research nurse with the Thoracic Oncology Center at Dana-Farber.

    Danielle Nunziato, BSN, RN and Maggie Carey, BSN, RN

    Danielle DeGonge, BSN, RN and Maggie Carey, BSN, RN, participated in the Research Nurse Residency Program.

  • Nurse Residency Specialties

    The Dana-Farber Nurse Residency Program supports two oncology specialties: Infusion and Research. Newly licensed nurses are encouraged to apply for the specialty that meets their professional goals. Annually, applications open in May and the residency program starts in September.

    Infusion Specialty

    The Infusion Residency curriculum, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts, Boston, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, supports the transition of newly licensed registered nurses to staff nurse roles at Dana-Farber. This program works toward increasing diversity in the oncology nursing workforce at Dana-Farber and in Boston, by identifying nurses with experience and commitment in working with diverse populations and within health equity. Applicants to this specialty must be graduates from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

    Research Specialty

    The Research Residency curriculum is structured to expose residents to fundamental clinical nursing skills, oncology-based care, and research nursing competencies. The residents complete clinical rotations in inpatient oncology, ambulatory oncology, and clinical research. To supplement their clinical rotations, residents are provided a wide variety of interdisciplinary shadowing experiences and professional development opportunities.

    Eligibility

    • Baccalaureate degree in nursing from accredited nursing program
      • Infusion Specialty only: Graduates from University of Massachusetts, Boston
    • Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

    Contact Us

    Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information about the Nurse Residency Program.

    Infusion Specialty email: DFCI_ONRP@dfci.harvard.edu
    Research Specialty email: DFCI_RNRP@dfci.harvard.edu