Students in the School of Nursing at Northern Arizona University now have access to hands-on experience at a premier cancer treatment center in Goodyear, Ariz.<\/p>\n
An affiliation agreement is opening the way for NAU undergraduate and graduate students to fulfill degree requirements and gain intensive clinical experience at the\u00a0Cancer Treatment Centers of America<\/a>\u00a0at Western Regional Medical Center.<\/p>\n \u201cWe now have the possibility to offer this to fantastic students who are interested in oncology,\u201d said\u00a0Debera Thomas<\/strong>, dean of NAU\u2019s School of Nursing.<\/p>\n Thomas pointed to three specific opportunities for NAU students at the Goodyear facility. For senior nursing students, a capstone preceptorship at the cancer center could complete their coursework. Another possibility, Thomas said, is for nurse practitioner students to perform their clinical hours. Finally, a student in the new\u00a0doctor of nursing practice<\/a>\u00a0degree program could conduct a required research project.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a highly specialized place,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for a niche group of students who want a more intensive experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Dee Emon, vice president of Patient Care Services at the cancer center, noted some of the specific experiences that will be available. \u201cWe are excited to provide this opportunity to the NAU nursing students and to expose them to our unique, integrated care model,\u201d Emon said. \u201cThey will get a breadth of experience through interactions with our multidisciplinary team of experts including medical oncologists, nutritionists, naturopathic physicians, oncology nurses and mind-body therapists.\u201d<\/p>\n Emon said the first NAU student is scheduled to start her internship by the end of March.<\/p>\n Regent Ernest Calder\u00f3n, a CTCA board member and member of the Arizona Board of Regents, said \u201cI have the highest respect for both organizations and am excited to bring them together to provide the highest-quality of future clinicians for Arizona. I know first-hand the quality and caliber of the clinical team at CTCA and the education staff at Northern Arizona University. There is no doubt this partnership is going to be equally beneficial to both organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n Through this partnership, Thomas also plans to visit the center to give presentations about nursing and higher education to staff.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"