Q&A with Rachel Hawn x’26, PhD Student
Tell me about your nursing journey.
I received my bachelor’s degree in nursing at Michigan State University (MSU) in 2021. During my undergraduate program, I gained some clinical experience working as a home health aide and phlebotomist. I worked as a student research assistant for two nursing professors, which exposed me to the world of nursing research.
Currently, I work bedside as a hospice nurse and focus my research on supportive care and health promotion in cancer survivors.
I chose nursing because I have always been drawn to the idea of working in health care and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Pursuing a nursing career has been very rewarding and provides so many opportunities to grow and learn new things.
What made you decide to pursue a PhD in nursing?
I had an early exposure to nursing research as an undergraduate student. At MSU, I received strong mentorship and guidance that helped me feel confident in applying to the program.
My personal and clinical experience with cancer and cancer survivorship inspired my research questions and motivated me to pursue the PhD. My observations of the significant impact of cancer on patients and their families moved me to deepen my understanding and address the ongoing challenges people face after treatment.
Why UW–Madison? What other schools did you consider, and why did you ultimately choose the School of Nursing for your doctoral studies?
I considered University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and University of Wisconsin–Madison for my doctoral studies.
Ultimately, I chose UW–Madison because I felt that the PhD program offered the right mix of resources, mentoring, and expertise I needed to be successful. The welcoming and supportive environment that the School of Nursing cultivated during my application process also stood out to me.
“My faculty advisor, Dr. Kris Kwekkeboom, has given me strong guidance throughout the program and is a great source of support, especially in times of uncertainty or doubt. I appreciate her dedication to fostering a strong mentor-mentee relationship and always being available to answer my questions.”
What are you currently focusing on in your research?
My research is focused on improving the quality of life among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers by:
- reducing symptom burden,
- facilitating physical activity engagement, and
- decreasing risk for late- and long-term effects of cancer and its treatment.
I am currently working on my dissertation study which aims to understand symptom burden in this population and its impact on physical activity engagement.
How did the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor help guide your current research?
Being able to work closely with a faculty mentor has been so valuable to my learning and success.
My faculty advisor, Dr. Kris Kwekkeboom, has given me strong guidance throughout the program and is a great source of support, especially in times of uncertainty or doubt. I appreciate her dedication to fostering a strong mentor-mentee relationship and always being available to answer my questions.
I’ve gained many new skills and knowledge working with her as a project assistant, participating in her research lab, and having one-on-one meetings.
Do you have a story where research you have worked on has positively impacted a patient?
I can think of a few instances when participants have given us positive feedback or appreciation for the research we’ve completed.
I worked on a pilot study that Dr. Kwekkeboom led in which we provided symptom self-management recommendations to patients experiencing multiple cancer-related symptoms. Many participants gave positive feedback about the intervention and found it to be very helpful.
Hearing from participants directly was very meaningful and significant. Through my dissertation study, I occasionally receive a positive or appreciative comment from a participant, which is always rewarding.
“Nursing research is needed now more than ever because the health care landscape is becoming increasingly complex and diverse.”
Tell me about your experience at the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Conference. Were you able to make connections and to make future collaborations?
I have gone to the MNRS conference almost every year that I’ve been in the PhD program. I have shared my research through poster presentations, and I would like to pursue a podium presentation in the future.
The MNRS conference is a great opportunity to learn about other research that is happening in the region as well as to identify and connect with potential collaborators. There are many opportunities to make meaningful connections at the conference, such as attending networking events, organizing time to talk with researchers, and participating in a Research and Implementation Interest Group meeting.
You won the 2025 MNRS Joseph & Jean Buckwalter Dissertation Grant. What impact has that made on your dissertation?
The 2025 MNRS Joseph & Jean Buckwalter Dissertation grant allowed me to improve my recruitment methods and reach a larger number of people for the study, which may help improve the generalizability of the study’s findings.
It has given me the ability to compensate for people’s time and effort for participating in the study, which has facilitated the success of my data collection. The grant has allowed me to obtain the necessary resources and support for the data analysis phase.
As you continue to grow and evolve your research, where do you want to make an impact and how do you see yourself transforming health care?
I want to improve the long-term health and quality of life of cancer survivors. My work focuses on understanding how symptoms influence physical activity engagement and how tailored interventions can empower adolescents and young adults (AYA) survivors to better manage their health.
By integrating symptom self-management strategies into physical activity programs, I aim to address both the physical and psychological challenges survivors face after treatment.
Survivorship care is not only promoting longevity but also helping individuals thrive after cancer. I want to promote more personalized, patient-centered approaches that facilitate healthy lifestyle while also addressing their clinical needs.
Why is nursing research needed now more than ever?
Nursing research is needed now more than ever because the health care landscape is becoming increasingly complex and diverse.
Nurses typically spend the most time with patients and are in a unique position to identify gaps in practice and generate new evidence that directly improves patient outcomes.
Today’s challenges—such as the rise in chronic illnesses, existing health disparities, and an aging population—require research that both advances our clinical knowledge and centers the human experience.
To learn more about research at the UW–Madison School of Nursing, go to nursing.wisc.edu/research.