New-to-Specialty RN Fellowship Program

The New-to-Specialty RN Fellowship at Fred Hutch Cancer Center is designed for experienced nurses who are new to the specialty of ambulatory oncology nursing. This fellowship program is open to nurses who have at least one year of experience in another specialty and are passionate about transitioning to a career in oncology at Fred Hutch.

Upon completion of the New-to-Specialty RN Fellowship, participants will be well-equipped to provide skilled and compassionate oncology care to a variety of patients.

 

Program Components

The New-to-Specialty RN Fellowship program consists of the following components:

Pre-Clinical Onboarding

3 Weeks 

  • Centralized orientation to Fred Hutch and the oncology nurse role
  • Foundational oncology and research education from Fred Hutch’s CE-accredited webinars, Oncology Nursing Society, and CITI Program
  • Specialty-specific didactic education and hands-on skills training
  • Multidisciplinary shadow experiences

Department Orientation

8 Weeks 

  • Clinical training alongside designated unit preceptors
  • Recurrent check-ins with New-to-Specialty fellowship team, unit educators, and department leaders to support clinical competence, progress toward orientation objectives, and professional transition to a new specialty
  • Dedicated two hours of independent study time each week

Eligibility

To be eligible for the New-to-Specialty Fellowship program, candidates must:

  • Have completed an accredited nursing program (Associate Degree or higher)
  • Have at least one year of nursing experience
  • Have no or limited experience working with oncology patients
  • Obtain a Washington State RN license prior to start date
  • Obtain an active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification prior to start date

Ideal Candidates

We prioritize hiring nurses who support Fred Hutch’s mission to prevent and eliminate cancer and infectious disease. Ideal candidates share Fred Hutch’s commitment to the urgency of our patients, the hope of our community, and our passion for discovery to pursue scientific breakthroughs and healthier lives for every person in every community. 

We seek individuals who are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism in their care of Fred Hutch patients, families and staff.

Application Considerations

  • Nurses who meet the program qualifications should apply to the New-to-Specialty RN position posted in Job Openings.
  • Specific positions available will vary and will be specified during the phone screen with your recruiter.
  • Reflect on your clinical experiences and former work experiences. Be prepared to share specific examples of your clinical experience and compassionate care of your patients in your interview. We look forward to learning about what draws you to oncology nursing!
  • Candidate selection and placement in the New-to-Specialty Fellowship program is ultimately determined by individual qualifications, mutual interest in the department or specialty, and position availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Nursing Education team is happy to help as you start your nursing career at Fred Hutch. If you have questions that are not addressed here, please email the New-to-Specialty RN Fellowship program (education@fredhutch.org).

Applying and Hiring

Please include this information on your resume to help us better understand your experience and qualifications:

  • Nursing program and graduation month and year
  • Previous nursing experience, including specialty
  • Other relevant education, certifications, or volunteer experiences

Cover letters are not required of applicants, however, you are welcome to provide a cover letter if you wish to offer more information on what draws you to oncology nursing and Fred Hutch.

Positions available to New-to-Specialty RNs align with active openings throughout the organization and individual department capacity for training. New-to-Specialty RNs have previously entered apheresis, general oncology clinics, hematology clinics, infusion units, blood and marrow transplant, transfusion services and procedure suite. 

Time Commitment and Work Expectations

All RNs in the New-to-Specialty RN Fellowship are required to work full-time (40 hours per week) for their 11-week orientation. Entering the ambulatory oncology setting is a rigorous, full-time commitment and we do not allow part-time employment during the orientation period. Full-time employment is strongly encouraged for the first 6 months following orientation and any changes to FTE are at the discretion of department managers.

  • During pre-clinical onboarding (3 weeks) all RNs work Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  
  • During the unit orientation (8 weeks), RNs are paired with one or several preceptors and will be assigned shifts to mirror their designated preceptors’ schedules. Department operating hours vary, and RNs may be assigned to work five 8-hour shifts per week, four 10-hour shifts per week, or a combination of shift lengths. You may be required to work some evenings, weekend shifts, and holidays, with earliest shifts starting at 6:45 a.m. and latest shifts ending at 10:15 p.m. You can ask your recruiter about unit-specific operating hours. This information will also be discussed in the interview and selection process.

Full-time employment is strongly encouraged for the first 6 months after completion of orientation to support further knowledge and skill acquisition and a successful transition to practice. Once the orientation is completed, any changes to hours, schedule, or FTE are at the discretion of the department manager.