Nursing at The James is Professionally and Personally Rewarding

The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute is located in the heart of The Ohio State University, one of the largest and most diverse universities in the country. The James is the patient-care component of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSU CCC), one of only 39 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. That places the OSU CCC-James among the most elite in providing cutting-edge patient care and discovering innovative methods to prevent, treat and cure cancer.

Opportunities to Learn
Responding to the special needs of cancer patients is the cornerstone of James Nursing. Our more than 300 nurses promote an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration. We believe the success of each member of our staff is built on a strong foundation laid during the orientation process.

For the new graduate nurse we offer a customized Nursing Internship that provides a transition period from nursing student to professional nurse and is designed to enhance individual confidence and prepare safe healthcare practitioners.

All of our nurses are expected to complete the Basic Oncology Nursing Course (BONC) to better prepare them to meet the unique care needs of cancer patients. In addition, all newly employed nurses are asked to either demonstrate their chemotherapy administration knowledge and skills or complete our Chemotherapy Administration Course. The content of our course is consistent with Oncology Nursing Society standards. Both of these courses are approved for continuing education credit and must be completed within the first year of employment to meet our high standards of patient care excellence.

Collaborative Governance
We believe in collaborative governance with frontline nurses taking responsibility for decisions that affect nursing practice and nursing care standards. There are numerous opportunities for nurses to participate and lead nursing-related work groups and councils where important clinical and operational decisions are made and standards are established. James nurses also collaborate across OSU Medical Center by participating in Medical Center-wide work groups and councils.

Nursing Excellence
Excellence in nursing and patient care is valued and rewarded at The James.

• Clinical Excellence Awards — Every year during Nurses Week in early May, Clinical Excellence Awards are given to clinical staff at The James who have shown outstanding performance and commitment to The James' mission, vision and values.
• Clinical Ladder Program — Nurses at The James are also eligible to become part of the Clinical Ladder Program that recognizes clinical excellence and the unique contributions of various nurses who go over and above normal expectations. (Read more about the Clinical Ladder Program...)

Professional Activities and Accomplishments

Approximately 30 percent of our registered nurses are certified in oncology nursing or other relevant clinical specialties such as operative nursing. All certified nurses receive an additional hourly stipend as recognition of their demonstrated knowledge and skill.

Nurses at The James also participate in local, regional and national oncology nursing-related activities. The current president of the Columbus Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a staff nurse at The James. For the most part, the chapter has been headed by a nurse from The James for much of its existence.

Nurses at The James are also active participants in ONS national activities and participate in scholarly activities such as publishing articles, book chapters and books, providing numerous lectures both internally and externally, and holding adjunct professorships.


Professional Contributions
James nurses believe that mentoring tomorrow’s nurses is one of the most important responsibilities we have. To that end, our nurses have numerous opportunities to mentor both undergraduate and graduate nurses. We value our role in contributing to the learning of nurses-to-be. We collaborate with several nursing education programs within central Ohio to provide precepted clinical rotations for all levels of students. We also contribute to the education of other healthcare professionals, including physicians, pharmacists and therapists.

James nurses are leaders and innovators. Personalized and compassionate care based on scientific knowledge drives our desire to achieve excellence in everything we do. We are eager to have nurses join our team who share our passion for exemplary care and practice.