27 nurses graduated in this year's spring cohort of the Oncology Nurse Residency Program.
As a new nurse in the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Treatment Center at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Caroline Sypniewski, BSN, RN, was eager to learn everything she could about her new field.
“When I interviewed for this position, I heard about the Oncology Nurse Residency Program and saw it as a unique opportunity to build a strong nursing foundation,” says Sypniewski.
Launched in 2023, Winship’s Oncology Nurse Residency Program is designed to support both recent nursing school graduates like Sypniewski and experienced nurses who are new to oncology.
The program utilizes a hybrid model that combines the Oncology Nursing Society’s online orientation course with in-person classes and hands-on clinical skills labs. Strategic debriefing sessions are integrated throughout the program to foster reflection and provide support. The program’s primary goal is to equip new nurses with both foundational knowledge and practical experience during their first year, ensuring a confident transition into oncology nursing practice.
“Our nurse residents show remarkable commitment, passion and growth over the yearlong program,” says Edna M. Smith, PhD, RN, OCN, a nurse practice specialist and coordinator of the Oncology Nurse Residency Program. “With each cohort, we continue to build a strong community of skilled professionals who are making a real difference in the lives of patients and their families.”
The program started with three cohorts and has expanded to four: winter, spring, summer and fall. New cohorts begin quarterly, allowing newly hired nurses to join the program soon after onboarding.
“Every new group of residents brings fresh perspectives and enthusiasm,” says Leslie Landon, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, director of patient care service at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. “With the addition of our new winter cohort, we are eager to see our program reach new heights and support even more nurses transition to the specialized field of oncology.”
Renee Spinks, MSN, APRN, AOCNS, AGCNS-BC
The final class of each cohort focuses on professionalism and leadership with a talk from Renee Spinks, MSN, APRN, AOCNS, AGCNS-BC, director of patient care for oncology, surgery and transplant services at Emory University Hospital. Spinks, who started her career at Emory 23 years ago, says she is still here because of the support and mentorship that she received—from her early days as a bedside nurse to her current role as a nursing leader.
“Oncology nursing is so exciting because you can take many different paths and have different types of jobs based on where your interests take you, where your calling brings you,” says Spinks. “I'm here to inspire this team to view themselves as leaders, even though they're just starting out in their nursing careers.”
Among those team members inspired by Spinks was Sypniewski herself, who was one of 27 to complete the Oncology Nurse Residency Program on Feb. 11.
“Now having graduated from the program, I can say it enriched both my nursing knowledge and sense of support throughout my first year of nursing,” says Sypniewski. “The experience gave me a deeper knowledge of my own field, BMT, and made me more confident overall as an oncology nurse caring for a wide range of patients.”
2025 Spring Graduates
The graduates from the spring cohort of the Oncology Nurse Residency Program include:
- Estella Acosta, ADN, RN
- Lynn Adams, BSN, RN*
- Sophie Barocas, BSN, RN*
- Joi Chaskin, MSN, RN
- Tracey Davis, RN
- Debbie-Ann Davidson, MSN, RN
- Aisha Emile, ADN, RN
- Melissa Francis, RN
- Dana Hampton, ADN, RN
- Irene Hong, RN
- Zandra Johnson, ADN, RN
- Perrisha James, BSN, RN
- Sheara Jones, MSN, RN*
- Psyche Jongko, ADN, RN
- Krystol Love, BSN, RN
- LaToya Mouzon, BSN, RN
- Robine Oliver, BSN, RN
- Michelle Person, ADN, RN
- Kimberly Sheehan, RN
- Shenese Stewart, MSN, RN
- Caroline Sypniewski, BSN, RN
- Crystal Taylor, MN, RN
- Morgan Tyler, RN
- Janella Wynter, BSN, RN*
- Ellen Vilakazi, ADN, RN
- Lisa Wooten, BSN, RN
- Zee Williams, BSN, RN