Nursing Services, Phoenix

We know that nurses are central to each patient’s unique cancer journey. That’s why the nursing team at City of Hope^® Cancer Center Phoenix is dedicated to ensuring that our patients receive the care they need with the compassion and dignity they deserve. Our commitment to nursing excellence supports our patient-centered mission and the professional development of our nursing staff. Some key offerings that set City of Hope’s approach to nursing include those below.

Access to development opportunities: City of Hope provides programs for continuing education, professional certification support programs, online learning platforms, evidence-based practice resources and tuition reimbursement benefits.

Innovation in clinical research: Our nurses are directly involved in nursing research that helps advance nursing practices, improve patient outcomes and foster a positive work environment.

Outreach: The nursing staff at City of Hope volunteers in the local community, providing screening tests, health education and other services intended to improve the health of Arizonans.

An Introduction Letter From Sarah Cossette, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at City of Hope Phoenix

“It is both an honor and a privilege to lead this extraordinary group of nurses whose unwavering commitment to excellence, compassion, and innovation continues to inspire us all. Their dedication to delivering the highest standards of patient care, mentoring future leaders, and advancing clinical practice is the foundation of our healing community.” 

Read the full letter here. 

City of Hope’s nursing Professional Practice Model (PPM) is the driving force behind our nursing care. The PPM model serves as a guideline for how our nurses practice, collaborate, communicate and develop professionally to provide the highest quality care to patients and their loved ones, and demonstrates the alignment and integration of nursing practice with the mission, vision and values of City of Hope.

Alan & Marlene Norton Nurse Residency – ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program^®(PTAP) 

City of Hope offers recent nursing graduates with the opportunity to apply for the Alan & Marlene Norton Nurse Residency Program, a yearlong transition-to-practice program that incorporates both supplemental coursework focusing on cancer care, managed through the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), and training in the Vizient/ANCC Nurse Residency Program data collection tools. The program is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs. Recruitment usually starts in January and August and enrolls two cohorts of nurses per year.

This nurse residency program includes an intensive 12-week schedule of classroom study that centers on comprehensive cancer care, fostering a compassionate approach in patient care and helping students develop critical and clinical reasoning skills. It also offers strategies for stress management, mentor support and career planning advice.

Our Nurse Fellowship Program (NFP), accredited by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC)’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program^® (PTAP), is an 11-week program designed for experienced nurses who are transitioning into oncology nursing. Typically, we begin to enroll our two cohorts of nurse fellows in February and July of each year. The program concludes with a graduation ceremony recognizing the nurse fellows who complete the program.

City of Hope Phoenix is proud to be Magnet^®-recognized by the ANCC, an affiliate of the America Nurses Association. Magnet designation is a mark of distinction presented to fewer than 10% of all hospitals in the nation. This recognition honors the caliber of our nursing staff and their exceptional commitment to providing outstanding patient care, guided by evidence-based methodologies and compassionate leadership. All four of City of Hope’s hospitals — in Southern California, Arizona, Illinois and Georgia — are Magnet-designated, underscoring our dedication to cultivating high-performing nursing teams that deliver excellent clinical care.  

The nursing team at City of Hope Phoenix has been recognized by multiple associations, organizations and awards, all honoring our commitment to providing compassionate, exceptional clinical care founded on the latest innovations in the field of cancer treatment. 

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses 

The DAISY Award® is an internationally recognized honor established by the DAISY Foundation to celebrate nurses who provide extraordinary, compassionate care. It was established by a patient’s family who wanted to find a way to thank nurses and honor the work they do every day. Nurses are nominated by patients, families or colleagues who witness or experience exceptional care. More than just an award, DAISY fosters a culture of gratitude and recognition, elevating the nursing profession and reinforcing the vital role nurses play in healing and human connection.  

Achievement in Clinical Excellence (ACE) 

Professional development is essential to maintaining a culture of nursing excellence and delivering high-quality patient care. At City of Hope Phoenix, nursing leadership supports this through certification programs, online learning platforms, evidence-based practice resources, and tuition reimbursement. One of the key initiatives supporting clinical growth is the Achievement in Clinical Excellence (ACE) program, a structured clinical ladder that recognizes nursing staff for their contributions to quality improvement and professional advancement. Staff begin at Level 1 and may progress annually through Levels 2 to 4 by meeting defined criteria, submitting a portfolio and presenting to a leadership panel. Advancement is based on Benner’s model of proficiency and includes compensation differentials tied to the achievement level. The program reinforces a culture of continuous improvement and requires annual reapplication. 

Nursing Excellence 

The Nursing Excellence Annual Awards are designed to formally recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of nursing professionals and their collaborators at our organization. These awards highlight individuals and teams who demonstrate exemplary performance, leadership, mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing nursing practice and patient care. 
 

Award categories include: 

• Nurse Practitioner of the Year, recognizing outstanding achievements by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who demonstrate clinical excellence and leadership
• Interprofessional Collaboration (Group), celebrating teams that model excellence in cross-disciplinary teamwork to improve patient care and outcomes
• Nurse Preceptor, honoring nurses who mentor and guide new nurses and students, fostering growth and confidence in clinical practice
• Transformational Nurse Leader, recognizing visionary leaders who inspire change, elevate practice standards and promote a culture of excellence
• Nurse of the Year, awarded to a nurse who exemplifies compassionate, high-quality care and serves as a role model at the organization
• Nurse Ally of the Year, acknowledging non-nursing colleagues who significantly support and enhance the nursing environment through collaboration and advocacy 
  These awards serve as a meaningful way to honor the individuals and teams who embody the values and vision of nursing excellence. 

Safety Heroes 

The Safety Hero Program celebrates team members who go above and beyond to promote a culture of safety. Our goal is to recognize individuals who take proactive steps to prevent harm, speak up for safety and model safe practices in their daily work.

Individuals considered for this award exemplify a high level of accountability and have been instrumental in one or more of the following areas:  

• Preventing patient harm from occurring by speaking up
• Consistently modeling safety behaviors
• Reporting a safety concern that led to a positive change that prevented future harm  

Each month, safety leads from all sites submit a safety story to the Enterprise Patient Safety Council via email. The council reviews the submissions and votes to select the Safety Hero of the Month. Once a winner is chosen, the respective leader is notified and coordinates a time to present the award to the recipient.  

Other Points of Distinction

Additional recognitions include:

• First ANCC Magnet Designation achieved in 2022
• ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP) for Nurse Fellowship
• U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Patient Satisfaction 5-star Rating
• CMS Overall Hospital Quality 5-star Rating
• National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers Certification
• The Joint Commission – Lung Cancer Certification
• Press Ganey Guardians of Excellence Award
• Earned distinction as American College of Surgeons surgical Quality Partner in 2024
• 41.5% certified nurses overall, with  82% of nurses with BSN or higher
• Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) accreditation for comprehensive  heme oncology and stem cell transplant program, 2023
• Four clinical sites

City of Hope Phoenix’s nursing annual reports provide information on our nursing initiatives, our accomplishments and our future goals.

2023 
2024 
2025 

If you’re experiencing cancer symptoms or you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and are interested in a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment options, City of Hope Phoenix can schedule your appointment in as little as 24 hours. You may even be able to make a telehealth appointment.

City of Hope Phoenix is conveniently located in Goodyear, Arizona, just south of I-10, 40 minutes west of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.