Partnering for health

Mayo Clinic and the School of Nursing partnered to launch a Hematology/Oncology Student Program, which is designed to offer Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students in Rochester immersive experiences across Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Units.

Hematology and oncology care is complex and requires not only technical skill and a depth of knowledge specific to the specialty, it also requires compassion and resilience. The program was created to provide students with hands-on experiences in these specialty areas while they are in their final year of their undergraduate degree.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our students to delve deeper into a specialty area with strong mentorship from expert nurses in practice and in the context of their academic studies,” says Carol Flaten, DNP, RN, PHN, assistant dean for Pre-licensure Programs. “This practice-academic partnership exemplifies how we can support students for entry into practice and support workforce needs.”

Students selected for the program through an application process are hired by Mayo Clinic to serve as nurse technicians focused on direct patient care during the summer. With personalized mentorship and hands-on learning in hematology/oncology, their responsibilities include assisting with activities of daily living such as hygiene and mobility, taking and recording vital signs, helping with skin care and repositioning, and performing basic tasks like specimen collection and point-of-care testing. They also contribute to documentation in the electronic health record and coordinate with ancillary teams to ensure smooth care delivery.

“The nurse technician role bridges classroom learning with real-world practice, preparing students for their future working with patients in a clinical environment,” says Julie Somheil, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Mayo Clinic Nursing Professional Development nurse administrator.

In their senior year, students who have served as nurse technicians complete clinical placements and capstone experiences with the Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Units for their academic practicum hours and continue to serve on a similar unit as a nurse technician.

“This allows them to immerse themselves in the specialty throughout their training, gaining continuity of experience and deeper exposure to complex patient care,” says Somheil. “Our goal is to foster early interest in nursing and to create a pathway into a career in this specialty. Ultimately, this partnership benefits patients, students, and the profession by fostering a culture of learning and collaboration.” 

Two BSN students will begin serving as nurse technicians this summer. “Our goal is to grow the program thoughtfully, so these first participants will truly set the tone and help shape the future of this initiative,” says Somheil. “We see this as the beginning of something impactful, and we’re eager to learn and grow experiences for the future.”

Partnering for health is a recurring feature that highlights a school partnership working to advance health care to improve the health and wellbeing of all.