Despite an extremely competitive process that involved hundreds of applicants from across the country, two Nicholls nursing students were chosen to attend the Professional Student Nurse Extern Program at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas this summer. Both students are in the bachelor of science nursing program.

The students chosen are April Hernandez, nursing senior from Napoleonville, and Pam Rabe, nursing senior from Houma, Dr. Thomas Smith, BSN program director, said.

“M. D. Anderson is a premier international treatment center for cancer. The purpose of this is to give an internship in cancer to highly motivated nursing students,” Smith said.

“The idea is that they can get these soon-to-be nurses up to speed on cancer to motivate them for careers in oncology,” he said.

Hernandez and Rabe will be employees of M. D. Anderson and will work with registered nurses to gain clinical experience and will also attend educational seminars, Smith said.

According to the program brochure, students must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program and have completed at least two clinical courses.

“The fact that we are involved with this in any way, shape or form is a tremendous accolade for the students, program and faculty,” Smith said.

Many people do not appreciate the significance of working at M. D. Anderson, Smith said.

“The fact that we have students who compete on a national basis and are selected for these types of things says a lot about our program and our University,” he said.

Smith said that it is impressive that of the 15 students who will work at M. D. Anderson, two came from Nicholls’ BSN program.

Both Hernandez and Rabe said they are very excited with the prospect of working at M. D. Anderson.

“It is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Hernandez said, who looks forward to learning about the technological advancements in oncology.

Hernandez became interested in the program after her aunt had a brain tumor removed at M. D. Anderson. Knowing the positive way in which her aunt was treated encouraged Hernandez to apply for the program.

Rabe said she feels there is “a lot of good experience to be gained from this, (including) getting the opportunity to work in specialized nursing,” she said.

She is looking forward to working with talented nurses in either the lymphoma or bone marrow transplant areas of oncology.

Rabe explained “the purposes of the program is dedication to the nursing student, education through classes and hands-on training.”

Both Hernandez and Rabe said they feel the Nicholls BSN program has prepared them well for this opportunity.