Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship 2016

Who Was Susan D. Flynn?

“Susan was an extraordinary mother, a loving and devoted wife, and a widely‐ admired and caring friend to many. In addition to being a successful businesswoman and a Master Gardener, she was also an enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer.” –Mr. Flynn

The Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship is a program that was established by Fredrick Flynn in loving memory for his wife, Susan Flynn, when she lost her courageous battle to ovarian cancer in 2013. The goal of the fellowship is to enhance three Molloy nursing students clinical knowledge in Oncology Nursing. The three Flynn Fellows for the summer of 2016 were Stefanie Pia, Stephanie Jorgensen and Arita Busgith. All three ladies completed a palliative care course and an oncology basics course. They also all completed a nursing research project and presented their projects to Mr. Flynn, the team at New York Presbyterian, nursing faculty at Molloy College and their families. You can read more about their experiences on the next few pages.

Stephanie Jorgensen (Flynn Fellow 2016)

Stephanie Jorgensen rotated at New York Presbyterian ‐ Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital on a pediatric hematology/oncology floor. She believed the best part of the experience was the children that she took care of. She presented her research project about childhood cancer camps and how they improve body image in children with cancer.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity. Words cannot express how amazing this nursing fellowship was. I have learned so much and grown not only professionally but personally as well. What I loved most about this fellowship were my patients and their families. I have had patients from a few days old to 21 years old. I learned in pediatrics, you have to adapt to the age changes, learn how to get on a child’s level and find out what they like to do. I bonded with so many parents as they told me about their journey and how hard their road was. I also have had patients that I will never forget. I think about every single patient I have had and I wonder every day how they are doing. I was so upset when this fellowship ended because I knew that I wouldn’t be able to see how my kids are doing and how they are improving. I really appreciated when I was in the clinic because I got to see my kids, who I had on the inpatient unit, healthier, just getting their treatments and going home. One of my patients I had on the inpatient unit would always want to go to the beach but she couldn’t because her counts were too low. She was discharged and I saw her again in the clinic a couple weeks later. She told me that she finally went to the beach! Seeing her so happy when she told me that she finally got to go to the beach made me want to cry. It’s the little things that truly make a big difference. Working in oncology opened up my eyes that life is so precious and that we should live every moment to the fullest. This fellowship has meant the world to me and every day I thank Mr. Flynn. This opportunity has changed my life that no one will truly understand unless they have experienced it. I cannot wait to become a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse!”

Arita Busgith (Flynn Fellow 2016)

Arita Busgith was placed on 6 Hudson North, an adult oncology unit, at New York Presbyterian the Columbia Campus. The most memorable part for her was the patients she took care of. She presented her research project about palliative care in oncology patients and how important it is for oncology patients to receive palliative care.

“When I started this internship I had no idea what I wanted to specialize in as a nurse and I was a little intimidated by the fact that I would be interning on an oncology unit. However, after the first week of being on the unit these feelings changed. Thanks to my preceptors, many other nurses on 6 Hudson North at NYP/Columbia and Mr. Fred Flynn I learned so much and was afforded the opportunity to really get hands on with my skills. Every day that I worked there I felt like a real nurse and that I was doing something meaningful. This feeling is one that I will use to motivate me as I begin my senior year and begin the pathway towards becoming an oncology nurse.”

Stefanie Pia (Flynn Fellow 2016)

Stefanie Pia rotated oncology units at New York Presbyterian the Weill‐Cornell Campus. Her favorite unit she rotated on was Bone Marrow Transplant. Stefanie presented her research project about anxiety in oncology patients and how non‐pharmacological management reduced anxiety levels.

“I am honored to say that I was one of the Flynn Fellows selected for the Susan D. Flynn Oncology Fellowship this past summer. This fellowship was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The experiences you encounter as a Nurse Extern shadowing oncology nurses for 8 weeks are unbelievable. Oncology nursing is not easy; however, if you feel you have a passion for oncology nursing then this fellowship is the best thing you can apply for. As a nurse extern, I experienced so many impactful moments in the 8 weeks I was rotating on the oncology units at New York Presbyterian Weill‐ Cornell. I have encountered happy times, where the patient was receiving their final chemotherapy treatment. On the other hand, I have too been with patients who were nearing the end of their battles. All of these experiences have made me 100% confident that I want to be an oncology nurse in the future. I want to be the nurse to help cancer patients fight their battles and make any impact I can in doing so. The Susan D. Flynn Oncology Fellowship is an amazing opportunity for nursing students. Anyone who is interested in oncology nursing must apply. It was such an honor to be part of this fellowship. The people I have met along my 8‐week journey I will never forget. This fellowship has changed my life. I will never forget it!”