Annie Beauchemin, BSN, RN, has spent 41 years caring for children and families at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic. Now an Oncology Nurse Navigator in the Pediatric Ambulatory Clinic, Beauchemin reflects on the lessons she’s learned throughout her career, the importance of presence and connection in patient care, and the advice she shares with the next generation of oncology nurses.
You’ve spent more than four decades in pediatric oncology. What has kept you in this work for 41 years?
I did not set out to become a pediatric oncology nurse, but once I found myself at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, I never wanted to leave. There is something incredibly special about these children, their families, and about having the opportunity to help guide them through diagnosis, treatment, and sometimes even end-of-life care. It is truly a privilege to work with these families every day. Being able to meet individuals where they are in their journey, and to use all the tools at your disposal to help them understand their child’s diagnosis, treatment plan, potential side effects, and how to manage complications, is incredibly meaningful.
What advice would you give to new graduates entering oncology nursing?
If I were to give advice to a new graduate coming into oncology, there are a few things I would share.
First, listen to your patients and their families. They will tell you what they need, sometimes not with words, but through their expressions, body language, or actions. If a parent tells you, “Something doesn’t seem right,” they are often right. They know their child better than anyone else. Be present with them. Sometimes you do not need to say anything at all — just being there matters.
My role now is as an Oncology Nurse Navigator, which is much less hands-on and clinical than bedside nursing, but I have found that one of the most important things I can do is simply keep checking in. Keep stopping by. Ask if they need anything. Become a familiar face so that, when they do need something, they know exactly who to turn to and who to ask.
The second piece of advice, especially in oncology, whether adult or pediatric, is to make time for yourself and prioritize self-care. It can be very easy to keep giving and giving until you begin to run dry. Everyone finds their own way to recharge. It might be eating well, taking a vacation, using your time off to connect with friends, taking a fun class, sitting on the couch with a good novel, going to the gym, getting a massage, cheering at your child’s soccer game, or simply spending time with people who fill your cup. Whatever it looks like for you, make time to step away from work and rejuvenate.
How can the research and insights coming out of ONS Congress help new oncology nurses?
The research and insights shared at Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congress provide important updates on the newest treatment options available for patients. The knowledge being generated in oncology is both powerful and exciting. The opportunity to learn about new discoveries and gain a deeper understanding of the diseases our patients face helps us find new and better ways to treat, support, and care for them. The more we understand the complexities of each disease, the better we can guide our nursing care.
Experiences like ONS Congress remind us that learning never stops, and that we are not alone in our commitment to continuously improving the care we provide. They also offer valuable opportunities to network, collaborate, and share ideas with others who are just as passionate about this work.