Fueling the Future of Oncology Nursing: The Impact of a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship With Eileen Hacker, PhD, APRN, AOCN®, FAAN

Addressing the Decline in Nursing PhD Enrollment

Dr. Hacker began by emphasizing the need to sustain and advance nursing science. “The sustainability and future of nursing science really requires a commitment to education and training, research, and evidence-based practice, integrating technology into our practice, as well as considering policy and advocacy as to advance oncology, nursing science, and clinical practice,” she explained. However, the pathway to becoming a nurse scientist is threatened by a notable decline in PhD program enrollment. According to Dr. Hacker and AACN data, enrollment in such programs from 2013 to 2023 declined by 17.5%, a trend attributed to shifts toward practice-focused degrees like the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP), decreased funding and stipends, and a decline in available mentors as senior nursing faculty approach retirement.

The Role and Impact of Postdoctoral Fellowships

To counter these challenges, the Argyros Postdoctoral Research Fellowship was established, supported by philanthropic funding from the Argyros Family Foundation. Dr. Hacker described the fellowship as “one critically important strategy to fuel the oncology nurse scientists’ pipeline.” She elaborated, “Fellowships help our future scientists extend the knowledge of the discipline. They expand the fellows’ area of research expertise, and most importantly, it allows the fellows to build the necessary research skills to launch an independent research career that then provides the evidence for our clinical practice.”

Nursing is fundamentally a practice discipline. “Our practice needs to be based on evidence, and that evidence comes from research. The research is conducted by the nurse scientists and is informed by the people at the bedside providing the care that identifies important problems to be studied.” This cyclical relationship ensures that research remains relevant and directly benefits patient care.

Building the Fellowship: Challenges and Achievements

Launching the fellowship was not without its challenges. Dr. Hacker recounted the initial efforts: “Our first order of business was to generate interest among doctoral students and those close to completing their PhD in nursing or nursing science. This required formal and informal approaches: posting on websites, sending official communications to deans, and networking with colleagues across the nation.” Organizing the program from scratch required developing a comprehensive curriculum, including nursing research grand rounds, journal clubs, seminar series, and one-on-one mentorship.

Despite these hurdles, the fellowship has achieved success in its first three years. Dr. Hacker shared, “Our first postdoctoral research fellow, Dr. Eunji Choi, received a highly competitive National Institute of Health (NIH) grant, which is a K99/R00, a career development grant.” Other fellows have also excelled: “Our second postdoc received a highly competitive grant from Sigma Theta Tau. Together, three individuals thus far have published 27 manuscripts and have disseminated their findings at 11 national and international conferences. They all have won awards.” These accomplishments underscore the fellowship’s effectiveness in nurturing the next generation of nurse scientists.

The Importance of Philanthropic Support

A unique aspect of the Argyros Fellowship is its philanthropic foundation. Dr. Hacker highlighted, “Most fellowships are supported internally or through an NIH grant. This is one of the first that I’ve heard of a philanthropic foundation supporting it.” The support from the Argyros Family Foundation has been instrumental, and Dr. Hacker expressed hope for continued and expanded philanthropic involvement: “We certainly hope that we will be able to continue this program. There are many donors out there who are looking for ways to contribute to society. In nursing, we are the most trusted profession and have been for many years. This kind of program really helps keep nursing alive and keeps the practice based on evidence.”

The Broader Impact on Oncology Nursing

Dr. Hacker’s vision for nursing science is both practical and aspirational. She defined nursing science as “the discovery and advancement of knowledge that optimizes health and promotes well-being throughout the lifespan to address vital health needs wherever nursing care is provided.” She stressed that “everything that we do as nurses, as oncology nurses, whether it’s in research, education, or clinical practice, eventually should boil down to improving the quality of care for those that we serve.”

As Oncology Nursing Month is celebrated, Dr. Hacker offered a heartfelt message: “We are a service profession, and everything we do should really boil down to improving the quality of patients’ lives, optimizing their health, promoting well-being, and improving the quality of their life, whether it’s through the cancer treatment process, survivorship, or at the end of life.”

Key Takeaways

The Argyros Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Oncology Nursing offers several important lessons for the healthcare community:

• Sustaining Nursing Science Requires Investment: Addressing the challenges of declining doctoral program enrollment and faculty shortages is critical to ensure the continuation of postdoctoral fellowships, especially those supported by philanthropy, which are vital to developing the next generation of nurse scientists
• Evidence-Based Practice is Central: As Dr. Hacker stated, “Our practice needs to be based on evidence, and that evidence comes from research. The research is conducted by the nurse scientists.” This cycle ensures that patient care is continually improved through scientific discovery
• Philanthropy Can Drive Innovation: The Argyros Fellowship is a pioneering example of how philanthropic support can fill gaps left by traditional funding sources, enabling innovative programs that might not otherwise exist
• Mentorship and Collaboration are Essential: The fellowship’s success is rooted in robust mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a curriculum that fosters both research skills and professional growth
• Nursing Science Impacts Patient Outcomes: Ultimately, the goal of nursing research is to improve patients’ quality of life, a mission that resonates throughout the fellowship’s work and Dr. Hacker’s leadership

The Argyros Fellowship stands as a model for advancing oncology nursing science, demonstrating the impact that dedicated support—both institutional and philanthropic—can have on the future of healthcare.

About Dr. Hacker

Eileen Hacker, PhD, APRN, AOCN®, FAAN, is a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Nursing at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her work focuses on advancing nursing science through education, research, and evidence-based practice to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Dr. Hacker is a passionate advocate for the critical role of nurses in optimizing health and well-being throughout the cancer journey.