Darcy Burbage
Nursing
Hometown Hero Gets Her Start at Delaware Tech
Dr. Darcy Burbage began her nursing studies at Delaware Tech the day after she graduated from high school. She had done the research and knew of the outstanding reputation of Delaware Tech's nursing program. It required more clinical hours, and graduates consistently achieved high passage rates on the state board examinations.
While at the College, Burbage worked part-time as an LPN on an inpatient oncology unit, citing the flexibility of Delaware Tech's scheduling. Upon graduation, she was offered a job as a graduate nurse on that same unit. She said the variety of clinical experiences, held in multiple settings, was extremely valuable in building her confidence that the skills she was learning would prepare her for her career.
Burbage continued her education, completing both her BSN and MSN in oncology nursing and becoming an oncology clinical nurse specialist. In 2019, she fulfilled another goal when she graduated from the doctor of nurse practitioner program at Duke University.
Looking back at her nursing career, Burbage said she has experienced many rewarding roles ranging from bedside nursing, clinical trials, community outreach, radiation oncology, private practice, cancer survivorship, and supportive and palliative care. She has also had the opportunity to develop and implement positions such as the role of CNS/Nurse Navigator in the Christiana Care Breast Center.
Burbage has held multiple leadership positions in the local and national chapters of the Oncology Nursing Society, was the founding coordinator of the Breast Care Special Interest Group, and helped to develop the first subspecialty certification examination offered by the Oncology Nursing Society. She also has served on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, the Delaware Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and currently serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the Cancer Support Community Delaware.
In addition to her community service, Burbage has authored articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and online courses and has presented locally, nationally, and internationally on multiple oncology topics. In addition, she is a past recipient of the Pearl Moore Making a Difference Award and the Susan G. Komen Hometown Hero Award.
"Delaware Tech provided me with the tools to be successful by giving me the skills and knowledge to become an RN, and allowing me to seek experiences that would enhance my learning experiences," said Burbage. "Additionally, the nursing faculty and staff were very supportive and clinical experts in their own specialty areas, which allowed me to learn from the best."
Burbage hopes to use her clinical experiences in oncology with the increased knowledge gained from her doctoral studies in a role that combines her passion for quality care and expertise in oncology to develop a program that improves the care of patients living with advanced cancer.
To aspiring world-changers who aren't sure where to start, Burbage recommends Delaware Tech. "Because of the quality of the programs and instructors, as well as access to the SEED program, Delaware Tech is definitely an investment in your future."
