To further enhance the curriculum, plans are underway to develop alliances with other institutions, in the United States, Central and South America. Eventually, this Training Center will be without walls as this program is integrated with St. Jude's International Outreach Telemedicine and Distance Learning initiatives. Currently, the distance learning program has developed a culturally sensitive, comprehensive pediatric oncology nursing curriculum that is envisioned to support this training center on a 24 hour basis.

Because the HEM/ONC specialty training only utilizes the resources of the Nurse Training Center for six months of the year, the Training Center can accommodate other programs. For example, other training programs for Central America utilizing the facilities that are currently being sought are medical data management and HIV/AIDS education for health care professionals.


The Training Center facilities are housed in a former private residence and include dorm rooms, dining facilities, and classrooms. The classrooms are equipped with computers and high speed internet access. During the hospital portion of their training, nurses are transported to and from Hospital Benjamin Bloom.

Consistent with the goals of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital International Outreach Program, the overall goal of this initiative is to improve the quality of care to pediatric oncology patients in countries with limited resources through dissemination of current, updated knowledge in pediatric oncology.

More informaion: International Outreach Nursing School

This article is reposted with thanks to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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