Caring for Kids with Cancer

Charlotte Musgrove: A journey in pediatric most cancers nursing

Charlotte Musgrove has carved out an impactful profession in pediatric nursing at Stanford Medication Youngsters’s Well being. With a mom who works on the famend Mayo Clinic, she discovered inspiration near dwelling. Throughout her senior yr of faculty, Musgrove realized her need to interact extra instantly with sufferers.

“I known as my mother and stated, I believe I wish to go to nursing college,“ Musgrove stated. “She was a bit shocked, and she or he joked that she wished I had determined a little bit sooner, as I used to be nearly to complete my diploma in public well being, however that she would assist me pay for nursing college.”

Musgrove’s preliminary publicity to the world of healthcare got here with sensible expertise as a summer time camp counselor and nanny, which drew her to the pediatrics area. Her ardour for oncology nursing ignited throughout a highschool go to to Phoenix Youngsters’s Hospital, the place she witnessed first-hand the compassionate care prolonged to her buddy affected by acute myeloid leukemia.

She launched into her skilled journey in March 2020, becoming a member of Stanford Youngsters’s via their graduate program after finishing an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “It was the start of the pandemic, and I wasn’t certain in the event that they have been going to maintain the Vizient Program.”  Regardless of beginning her profession amidst the worldwide pandemic, Musgrove swiftly rose to a scientific IV position, stepping up as a mentor to new nurses and starting her work in group help.

Her dedication transcends her scientific duties, as Musgrove not too long ago spearheaded a profitable fundraising marketing campaign for Blood Most cancers United, beforehand generally known as the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, rallying a staff of nurses, household and mates to boost $82,000 inside ten weeks as a part of the “Visionaries of the 12 months Marketing campaign.”

With a style of advocacy for improved most cancers affected person care, Musgrove knew that she needed to do extra. “Though I got here in as runner-up within the Visionaries of the 12 months Marketing campaign, I needed to remain concerned.”

Musgrove now serves on the Blood Most cancers United board. Her advocacy led her to the Dare to Dream Summit in Washington D.C., lobbying for the Accelerating Entry to Care Act and the Give Youngsters a Probability Act—two pivotal payments aimed toward enhancing pediatric most cancers remedy and analysis funding.

Musgrove’s views on pediatric most cancers remedy reveal a urgent want for much less poisonous therapies and better analysis funding. She has actively engaged with coverage and advocacy teams to marketing campaign for elevated federal funding, addressing the hole left by pharmaceutical corporations that concentrate on grownup most cancers remedies.

“I acquired to satisfy and work with the congressional delegation in California. I realized a lot from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff. They listened and appreciated my expertise with sufferers and their households and helped me to share my information in an impactful method.”

Musgrove would characterize her skilled surroundings at Stanford as supportive administration construction and a collaborative nursing group. Her reference to fellow Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases nurses, Kara and Jamie, highlights the robust private {and professional} bonds she cherishes.

“I take into account myself lucky to be working with my greatest mates. They perceive like nobody else what it takes to take care of our sufferers and their households. On the actually powerful days, if I want a second to gather myself, Jamie will step in with out hesitation, after which on the commute dwelling we will breathe, and snort and cry collectively. It’s so vital and it’s why I don’t assume I’ll ever depart Stanford.”

Past the hospital, Musgrove channels her ardour for well being into instructing Pilates, mirroring her holistic method to affected person care. And as she explores increasing affected person help networks via partnerships, she envisions enriching experiences for younger oncology sufferers, bringing pleasure and hope alongside their difficult path. Her dedication to nursing excellence, affected person advocacy, and group engagement demonstrated a robust narrative of 1 nurse’s unwavering dedication to advancing pediatric care at Stanford Youngsters’s and past.

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