Job Description

Overview

The nurse resident’s responsibilities during this year-long position will focus on the successful transition into clinical nursing practices, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care for a complex patient population.  Upon successful completion of this program, residents may apply for a posted permanent employment position. During the year - long residency, multiple nurse colleagues (preceptors, mentors) and nurse directors will provide feedback regarding the resident’s transition and competency development. The ultimate supervisory responsibility will be the Program Director. 

The nurse resident provides patient and family education and psychosocial and emotional support. The resident is a member of a multidisciplinary care team that requires effective communication and collaboration with co-workers and staff at the Institute, and other collaborating institutions and agencies in the ambulatory and inpatient settings.  The nurse resident identifies their own professional goals and learning needs.  The role requires clinical expertise, critical thinking, collaborative practice, excellent communication skills and an understanding of the principles and practices of clinical research.  The Mission, Vision and Core values of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are incorporated into all areas of practice. 

This position requires you have completed a Bachelor's of Science in nursing program and have been awarded your diploma prior to your start date.  

This position requires you have passed the NCLEX exam and have a Massachusetts State Nursing License prior to your start date.  

• Applications will be for those graduating by Spring 2025
• Interviews will occur on a rolling basis  
• These positions will be for a September 2025 start date.  
• This position is 100% on site 

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals. 

Responsibilities

Nurse Residency Application Requirements  

1. Current Resume with GPA 
2. Personal Statement (written - no more than two pages, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 font OR video – no more than three minutes, MP4 format), describing: 

• Why do you want to be in a residency program? 

• Your interest in training to become an oncology nurse 

• What personal traits/strengths do you possess that will support your success in the role of an oncology nurse 

• Your experience in improving the health and well-being of underserved populations. This could include formal volunteer activities or informal ways in which you interact with your family/community.   

Examples: 

• Primary interpreter/medical advocate for immediate and extended family  

• Volunteered at Health clinic/camps/activism groups on campus  

• Mentoring/Tutoring at risk youth or struggling peers  

• Advocate for neighborhood opioid epidemic initiatives with local political leaders  

The personal statement and/or video link should be emailed to: DFCI_ONRP@dfci.harvard.edu

Principal Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Clinical nursing: delivers expert, evidence-based care to patients and families.

• Implements nursing process: 

1. Assesses patient and family needs. 
2. Analyzes assessment data to develop and support clinically accurate diagnoses. 
3. Plans care by establishing goals with measurable outcomes. 
4. Implements the plan of care. 
5. Evaluates the patient’s response to interventions. 

• Documents care according to Institute and regulatory agencies’ requirements. 
• Administers medications, which may include chemotherapy, and performs procedures safely and efficiently in accordance with Institute policy. May administer blood transfusions. 
• Evaluates educational and psychological needs of patient and family and incorporates identified needs into the plan of care. 
• Educates patient and family regarding various aspects and treatment modalities of disease, which may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and research protocols. 
• Recognizes and responds to emergency situations appropriately. 
• Maintains BLS certification. 
• Identifies appropriate community resources to promote continuity of care and makes appropriate referrals. 
• Complies with accepted standards of professional nursing practice, as well as with all licensure/registration requirements applicable to the nursing role. 
• Demonstrates flexibility in setting and changing priorities. Accepts additional responsibilities as needed. 

1. Clinical Research Nursing: delivers expert, protocol-compliant care to patients and families

• Coordinates study enrollment, protocol treatment, and completion of study requirements for patients participating in clinical trials 
• Collaborates with primary nurse in assuring that patient care is compliant with the protocol and regulatory agency standards 
• Provides protocol education to patients and families 
• Collects and prepares required specimens for analysis and monitors test results, as appropriate 
• Documents in charts as appropriate and communicates observations and findings to protocol investigator, attending physician and other study team members as appropriate 

1. Fosters an environment of cultural humility that is sensitive to the needs of each patient and their unique circumstances as well as colleagues

• Interacts with patients and families in a caring and compassionate manner respecting the need for privacy and confidentiality. 
• Develops approaches to problem solving which meet the individual needs of the patients and families. 
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific care and support to the populations served. 
• Promote an inclusive work environment where all staff can thrive. 

1. Safety & Teamwork

• Monitors the environment of care with attention to patient safety, and assures compliance with regulatory agency standards 
• Complies with Institute, Nursing and Patient Care Services, and unit policies, procedures, work rules and standards of conduct. 
• Adheres to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2025) in all aspects of professional practice. 
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with peers and co-workers. Effectively addresses and manages conflicts. 
• Demonstrates effectiveness as a contributing member to the multidisciplinary health care team. 
• Delegates as appropriate and supervises assistive personnel in their provision of patient care. 

1. Professional Development

• Identifies areas for professional growth. Formulates professional goals, objectives and methods for accomplishing these. 
• Attends inservices, workshops and seminars. Shares information gained with colleagues. 
• Facilitates professional growth of self and others by seeking professional mentorship opportunities at DFCI and external to DFCI, if applicable. 
• Participates in the development of case study presentations and capstone project that is shared with colleagues. 
• Meets all annual evaluation requirements and competencies within the established time period. 
• Pursues active membership in local and national professional organizations. 
• Participates in Division of Nursing / Institute committees. 

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Licensed as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

• Baccalaureate degree in nursing. 

• Must meet the DFCI criteria of Oncology Resident Nurse meaning: A newly licensed RN who has not previously practiced in an RN role. 

• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team. 

• Demonstrated skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and ability to make independent decisions. 

• Strong computer skills preferred. 

Qualifications: 

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply. 

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. 

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