de Souza Nurse Clinical Fellowship
In order to obtain the de Souza Nurse Designation, you have to complete a 75 hour clinical fellowship within 6 months of your clinical fellowship start date. Below are the steps in order to obtain a clinical fellowship:
Step 1: Select a clinical fellowship placement.
A clinical fellowship placement should be outside of your current area of practice. It can be anywhere along the continuum of cancer care (i.e. ambulatory care, palliative care, or cancer prevention in the community) and based on your identified learning needs and professional oncology nursing goals.
Step 2: Submit a proposal.
A proposal that outlines the clinical focus and location of the fellowship along with plans for integration to practice. Click here for the proposal application. Within the proposal application, you will need to submit a letter of intent. Here is an example of a letter of intent. Please note that clinical fellowship proposals are reviewed promptly by the de Souza Designation Review Committee. You will receive feedback on your proposal within three weeks of submission.
Step 3: Develop a learning plan.
A learning plan that clearly outlines the goals and objectives for the clinical fellowship. This will include a description of how learning will be applied to your work setting on return. Here is a sample learning plan.
Step 4: Identify a mentor.
The role of the mentor or clinical coach is to support the fellow as they progress through the clinical fellowship. The fellowship proposal has to be reviewed with and approved by the mentor. To support the fellows and their mentors, de Souza Institute offers resources and career development tools. If you do not have identified mentors, the de Souza Designation Review Committee will recommend a list of potential mentors for you to contact. You are expected to connect with mentors, obtain confirmation on the mentorship and include the mentor in the development and approval of the fellowship proposal. If accepted into the de Souza fellowship program, you will be expected to meet with your mentor regularly either in person or telephone throughout the length of the fellowship.
Step 5: Obtain a confirmation letter.
Your employer (manager or director) must write a letter of support for your fellowship. It could include support to release you from work responsibilities from the clinical area for the specified time to meet objectives of the placement.
Step 6: Participation in clinical fellowship placement.
A clinical placement should be two weeks or a total of 75 hours. Possible financial support from de Souza Institute will lessen the financial impact of taking time off from your existing paid work to carry out the fellowship. However, it is not meant to offset all costs associated with the fellowship. Your commitment of your own time, as well as support from your employer will be required to ensure the success of the fellowship.
Step 7: Submit your hours and Placement Report.
Once you have completed both the Designation course requirements and your clinical fellowship. Fill out the following Clinical Fellowship placement report after completing your clinical hours and submit it to support@desouzainstitute.com.
Final Step: Apply for your Designation
Once the report has been approved, you will receive your de Souza Nurse Designation in the mail.