City of Hope has teamed up with Brandman University in Irvine, Calif., to launch a new program providing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or B.S.N., curriculum that gives nurses the tools to manage the complex care of cancer patients. It is part of a City of Hope initiative to increase the number of nurses with B.S.N. degrees at the center.
A new program will enable nurses to get advanced degrees. (Photo by p.cunningham)Currently 50 percent of City of Hope nurses hold a B.S.N.
“As a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, we should continue to be a learning organization,” said Shirley Johnson, R.N., M.S., M.B.A, chief nursing and patient services officer. “We set the bar for oncology nursing care delivery in this region and raise the bar of oncology nursing practice for this region, this country and the world.”
The recent Institute of Medicine report, “The Future of Medicine: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” recommends that by 2020, 80 percent of nurses should be prepared at the baccalaureate level. Increasing the number of staff nurses with this degree will benefit both patients and other health-care professionals. It will bring nurses more in-depth knowledge related to pathophysiology — how diseases change the way the body normally functions. It also will bolster nurses’ backgrounds in research methods and population management — a way to systematically improve care and patients’ outcomes.
Brandman University added two new courses to their program that meet City of Hope nurses’ needs: Assessment and Management of the Cancer Patient Across the Lifespan and Advanced Pathophysiology for the Oncology Nurse. City of Hope adjunct faculty will supervise study groups and assist with classes.
Major courses will include two face-to-face sessions with instructors, clinical activities at City of Hope, and online courses and class meetings. Nursing students can complete the degree in 16 months.
As part of the curriculum, Brandman University also is offering a tailored Professional Oncology Nursing Certificate to City of Hope nurses. This 14-credit certificate may be completed in five eight-week terms.
Brandman University will provide five scholarships of $8,000 each. Students must meet the university’s R.N. to B.S.N. admission requirements to be eligible for the scholarships. Nurses also may receive up to $1,100 per calendar year through tuition reimbursement and up to $1,200 under the Continuing Education Program.
Applications for the program, which starts this fall, will be accepted May 7 through June 24. Hourlong information sessions on the courses, admission requirements, the application process and financial aid will be held May 7 in Cooper Auditorium at 8 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Brandman University will host one-on-one sessions with admissions counselors on May 9 and 11 so nurses can review transcripts and determine if any prerequisite classes are needed. Sessions will be held in Room 1254 of the Main Medical Building.
For more information about the R.N. to B.S.N. program and to start the application process, please go to www.coh.org/nursing. Additional information about the program can be found on the Brandman University webpage for City of Hope at www.brandman.edu/cityofhope.
