The program consists of classroom lectures, weekly group seminars, and hands on clinical experience. Classroom subject matter includes epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, nursing interventions, pain management, gene therapy, oncologic emergencies, patient education for HIV disease and different types of cancer and death and dying. The clinical experience element of the program is supervised by preceptors.
Participants have direct patient care contact in the oncology units.
They attend rounds and conferences and are encouraged to develop their oral presentation skills through active participation in these meetings. Participants also have the opportunity to gain further experience through extramural observation at local hospices and ambulatory care facilities. Individuals training in the Cancer Nurse Internship Program have the chance to acquire expertise in a particular specialized area of interest. Applicants for the Cancer Nurse Internship Program must have a Registered Nursing License and be a United States citizen. The Cancer Nurse Internship Program is a six month program.