Scholarship Review

2025 Scholarship Review

To avoid unconcious bias and deidentify, we ask that each of you complete the rubric below including just the essay review.

Lauren McGovern Scholarship Chair has reviewed all applicants for completeness.

Education Scholarship

I often think about the impact that being an oncology nurse has had on my life and my professional growth as a nurse. I quickly realized this impact has been shaped by each patient that I have encountered, whether it was for first treatment of a newly diagnosed cancer or admission for end-of-life care. Each patient brings a unique perspective and challenge to their cancer treatment journey, and with each perspective, I have learned to shape my role as a nurse to be a provider, educator, supporter, listener, hand-holder, and sometimes a patient’s last goodbye. Through each of my roles as a nurse, I have always considered what is important for my patients so my care can be tailored to their unique perspectives. 
I quickly learned that for some patients achieving what is important for them was challenging.  The barriers to achieving what patients wanted the most varied from financial hardship, family dynamics, health literacy or never receiving a referral to a service such as palliative care. For patients of diverse backgrounds, some of these challenges are even greater. From language barriers to medical bias, I would frequently see patients fight their cancer and a complex medical system that is often difficult to navigate.
Each of these patient’s perspectives has impacted me to further my education and to continue advocating for all patients, especially our vulnerable cancer population who are often facing more challenges during an already difficult time. Each patient's perspective has pushed me to match their strength and resilience to help them achieve what is important to them. Each of these perspectives has motivated me to continue to work towards more inclusive and compassionate health care. 
I am obtaining my master’s degree not only to continue my education but also to be a bridge at a different scale for my patients. This scholarship will help me continue growing and become a nurse practitioner. It will allow me to serve communities of minorities that are often in need of providers with diverse backgrounds. This scholarship will help me be the bridge to connect my patients to what is important to them, it will allow me to educate other colleagues on the importance of understanding different cultural backgrounds during a very vulnerable time in people’s lives. 
 My sincere wish is to share with the Boston Chapter my passion for diversity, inclusion, and equity in cancer. I would like to share the impact nurses have on improving patient care by increasing their knowledge in all areas of diversity and inclusion. By increasing nursing knowledge, we increase empowerment across the nursing profession. I desire to continue to action the Oncology Nursing Society's mission of “Ignite the Extraordinary Possibilities in Impacting Cancer Care”.

Applicant ID

BONS Board Reviewing

2025 Scholarship Review

Education Scholarship

Evaluation Rubric