Milone, New 4BC Manager, Drawn to Oncology Patients, Nurses
There’s something special about caring for Oncology patients and their families, according to Marsha Milone, MSN/Ed, RN.
“It’s just a phenomenal patient population, all of whom are facing the biggest fight of their lives,” said Milone, who in August was named nurse manager on Tower 4BC, BWH’s Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. “This fight reshapes their life and their view on what’s important.”
Milone made this lasting connection with cancer patients as a student at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., where she started out as a pre-med major before being “swayed” into Nursing by one her professors. That same professor instilled in Milone her passion for oncology patients.
Milone, who has served as a clinical staff nurse and a nurse in-charge on Tower 6C, earned her master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix. At BWH, she honed her nursing practice with help from her colleagues, educators and managers, and she looks to one nurse manager, Cindy Jodoin, BSN, MHA, RN, as a mentor.
“Marsha demonstrated leadership qualities and earned the respect of staff nurses as a NIC and assistant manager,” Jodoin said. “She’s well-known for being a valuable resource for clinical staff and breaking down barriers that may stand in the way of practice development and professional growth.”
In October 2007, Milone was named assistant nurse manager for the hospital’s Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant units on seven pods. Her recent appointment as manager has her leading the 10-bed Tower 4C pod and preparing to open Tower 4B as a Hem/Onc BMT unit in early 2009.
Milone said she is committed to “keeping nurses excited about what we do in caring for our patients and families.” Narrative work, which will be continued, was started on Tower 4C by Jodoin, and has proven successful in allowing staff an opportunity to “celebrate why we’re nurses and reflect on our practice,” Milone said.
She describes BWH oncology nurses as a “cohesive group supported by quality program managers, educators and nurse managers. There is not a nurse here who I would not want taking care of me,” she said.