On March 22, City of Hope held the first in a series of educational and informational programs for local nurses of various oncology disciplines, including inpatient, outpatient, office-based, research, home health and hospice.

Alexandra Levine, M.D., chief medical officer of City of Hope, and Betty Ferrell, Ph.D, R.N., research scientist in the Department of Nursing Research & Education, discussed cancer survivorship and its implications for oncology nursing practice and research.

Fifty-five nurses from various organizations throughout the Los Angeles and Orange county areas rated the program excellent. One attendee raved, “What a lovely event! I spoke to the very best in nurse researchers and didn’t even know who they were until the event started.”  Another said, “I had a different perspective on caring for cancer patients as I went to work on Friday.”

The program, held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pasadena, Calif., was offered as a public service. At the end of the program, participants were able to describe cancer survivorship and its importance for oncology nurses, discuss examples of how nurses participate in research and clinical activities that impact cancer survivorship, and understand the impact of caring on survivorship.

Content of the program will be presented at City of Hope during National Nurses Week, running from May 6 to 12. Nursing leaders at City of Hope plan to host future events and programs.