Jessica Kaphan: A Registered Nurse Making Waves in Arizona

Bringing Expertise and Empathy to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

Jessica Kaphan is a dedicated registered nurse known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. With a remarkable blend of excellent communication skills and sharp critical thinking abilities, she brings an enthusiastic energy to every interaction. Since July 2023, Jessica has been making a meaningful impact at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Arizona, where she is committed to providing high-quality care and support to her patients.

With a unique blend of education and experience, Jessica’s path to nursing was anything but conventional. She began her academic career by earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1995, followed by a Master of Science Degree in Transportation Planning and Engineering from New York University in 2001.

After a career shift, Jessica received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Chandler-Gilbert Community College in December 2019 during which she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at Arizona State University in May 2020, graduating with a perfect GPA of 4.0, In addition, she became certified in administering chemotherapy agents by earning her ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Certification in February 2022.

As a Professional Engineer in New York, Jessica served as a Project Engineer and Project Manager at Greenman-Pedersen Engineering Consultants from 2001 to 2008. In this role, she was responsible for the design of major highways, including pavement modifications, bridge design, and drainage systems. She also managed highway design projects, overseeing budgeting, scheduling, and staffing to ensure successful project completion.

Immediately prior to entering nursing school, Jessica owned and operated American K-9 of N.Y., Inc. from 2008 to 2015, where she managed a pet retail store. Her responsibilities included budgeting, managing inventory, staffing, scheduling, money management, and providing excellent customer service. 

While attending nursing school in 2017, Jessica began her clinical journey at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of East Valley, where she assessed vital signs, conducted comprehensive head-to-toe assessments, and administered medications safely. She provided basic nursing care, including hygiene assistance and wound dressing care.

In 2018, Jessica gained clinical experience at Saint Luke’s Behavioral Health Center, where she applied therapeutic communication while caring for pediatric and detox patients, ensuring confidentiality and respect in patient interactions. That same year, she gained valuable experience at Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, providing nursing care in the telemetry and general med/surg departments. Jessica honed her assessment skills, integrated the nursing process into patient care, and performed newborn and postpartum assessments. She also gained experience in IV therapy, sterile techniques, and assisted in surgical procedures in the operating room. 

During 2019, Jessica continued her clinical experience at Abrazo Health, practicing the nursing process and clinical skills in the telemetry unit during her Transition to Nursing Practice (TNP) clinical experience. Additionally, at Cardon’s Children’s Medical Center, she enhanced her therapeutic communication skills through interactions with pediatric patients and completed head-to-toe assessments. Jessica provided quality nursing care at Dignity Health – St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she worked in general med/surg and the emergency department, assisted in the operating room, and utilized her practical nursing skills to care for patients. 

Upon graduation from nursing school, Jessica accepted a position at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Actually, she was the first New Grad ever employed at this facility. From June 2020 to October 2021, Jessica worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center of Banner Health. In this role, she was responsible for completing lab draws via central venous access, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), and peripheral lines. She performed dressing changes for PICCs and demonstrated proficiency in accessing central venous ports and peripheral IV skills. Jessica administered infusions of medications, blood products, iron, and electrolytes, as well as chemotherapy treatments, including antineoplastics and immunotherapy agents, via infusion and injections. She diligently followed protocols for hypersensitivity reactions to ensure patient safety and was responsible for documenting nursing care in Cerner and MedAptus.

From October 2021, Jessica worked at Ironwood Cancer and Research Center. In this role, she was responsible for completing lab draws via central venous access and peripheral lines. She demonstrated proficiency in peripheral IV skills and accessing central venous ports. Jessica administered antineoplastics and immunotherapy agents via infusion and injections, diligently following protocols for hypersensitivity reactions to ensure patient safety. Additionally, she was responsible for documenting nursing care in the OncoEMR charting system. 

In addition to her nursing responsibilities, Jessica has actively contributed to her community through various volunteer and professional activities. She volunteered for Project Connect, providing essential resources and services to the homeless population; participated in therapeutic activities for individuals with disabilities at the Adult Recreation Center in Mesa; and volunteered at the Lauren Institute for Education, assisting teachers with activities focused on disabled students. Her involvement with professional organizations, including Student Nurses in Action, the National Student Nurses Association, and the American Nurses Association, reflects her dedication to advancing the nursing profession and promoting health education.

Recognized for her academic and community achievements through numerous honors and awards, Jessica is a lifetime member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a member of the Alpha Theta Delta Chapter Honor Society. She received the Pauline and Paul Butler Nursing Scholarship, along with the Ladies Auxiliary of B.P.O.E. 2559 Nursing Scholarship and the Jerry Colangelo Scholarship. She also earned the Maricopa Community College District Office Scholarship, the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Scholarship, the Paul A. Elsner Scholarship, the Positive Paths for Women Scholarship, and the Helping Hands for Single Moms Scholarship, reflecting her commitment to education and service.

As a member of the team at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Jessica Kaphan exemplifies the qualities of a compassionate and skilled nurse. Her journey from engineering to nursing showcases her resilience and adaptability, while her commitment to patient-centered care sets her apart in the field. Her colleagues and patients alike appreciate her ability to connect on a personal level, making her a trusted advocate for those she cares for. 

In her spare time, Jessica enjoys spending time with family and her two beautiful children Savannah and Shane.

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