USF Nursing PhD Student, Sara Tinsley, Receives 2012 American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Doctoral Degree Scholarship in Cancer Nursing

University of South Florida College of Nursing PhD student, Sara Tinsley ARNP, AOCN, was selected to receive the 2012 American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Doctoral Degree Scholarship in Cancer Nursing. Tinsley is awarded a total of $15,000 per year, for two academic years. This type of award is very competitive and is only given to a few graduate students.

“I’m honored to have been chosen to receive this scholarship,” Tinsley said. “I would hope that this funding from the American Cancer Society will open up further opportunity for funding and improve my ability to perform nursing research in patients with hematologic malignancies. Oncology and research are my passion!”

Tinsley is a PhD student, and currently works as a Nurse Practitioner for Malignant Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Tinsley joins two other USF nursing students, Sarah Mountney RN, BSN, and Jana L. Perun, MS, ARNP-BC, AOCNP, who received a similar scholarship from the ACS. Mountney is a master’s degree student majoring in Nursing/Oncology ARNP, and Perun is working toward her DNP.

Tinsley’s research interest focuses on quality of life in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and high risk of Myelodysplastic Syndrome. “I will be studying predictors of quality of life for patients greater than 60 years of age with both of the disorders,” Tinsley said.

“I am so thankful for the individuals who have donated their time and resources to the American Cancer Society, which has made this grant possible,” Tinsley said. “This was a mark of approval on the last 21 years of my life, which has been committed to taking care of oncology patients and their families. I look forward to the next 20 years as a nurse researcher.”

The overall purpose of this scholarship is to provide support for study in a doctoral degree program in nursing or a related area, and prepare the graduate for a career as a cancer nurse scientist.