A fellowship program preparing students for employment as new graduate nurses in oncology nursing

The Carol A. Ghiloni Oncology Fellowship Program (OFP), developed in 2001, provides an opportunity for student nurses between their junior and senior years in a baccalaureate program to learn about the role that nurses play in providing care to patients with cancer. To explore whether former fellows felt prepared for employment in oncology nursing after their fellowship experience, a focus group discussion with former student nurse oncology fellows was conducted. The discussion was audiotaped and transcribed. Content analysis of the transcripts revealed four key findings: OFP provides an opportunity to make informed career choices; OFP provides confidence-building experience; OFP provides an experience of preceptor role modeling; and OFP provides an opportunity to build relationships with staff, patients, and patients' families.