My role is to coordinate care for children with central nervous system tumors, provide clinical care to patients and families, and also provide support during surgical admission, chemotherapy, and radiation.
I especially enjoy providing children and families with anticipatory guidance as they navigate the complex treatments offering hope and compassion. Teaching is my passion! I truly love teaching newly diagnosed families about their child’s disease, interacting with the children, and empowering families to feel comfortable caring for their child and anticipating their supportive care needs.
My area of specialty is Neuro Oncology/ Neurofibromatosis Type 1. I have been an oncology nurse for over 23 years and find each day filled with the hope for a cure and the possibility to make a difference.
I have co-authored an article that focuses on MIBG and nursing challenges, and have also done a poster and paper presentation on side effects during proton radiation. My research interests are radiation side effects, and family coping styles.
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP)Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON)Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP-BC)
BSN - Villanova University, Villanova, PA
MSN, Acute Care Program: Pediatric Oncology Concentration - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Nurse Practitioner
APN Lead, Oncology
Medulloblastoma therapy and side effects of treatment
Armstrong, CL. Schmus, CJ. Belasco, JB. Neuropsychological Problems in Neuro-Oncology. In C. L. Armstrong (Ed.), Handbook of Medical Neuropsychology: Applications of Cognitive Neuroscience. New York: Springer, 2010.
Contributor, Essentials of Pediatric Oncology Nursing: A Core Curriculum, 2nd Edition (2003) Nutrition and the Pediatric Oncology Patient.
Armideo, E. Oranges, K., Schmus, C. Implementation of a 24/7 Inpatient Nurse Practitioner Model to Improve Consistency and Quality of care to Pediatric Oncology patients and families. Presented at APHON 2016.
Venella, K, Menard, A., Schmus, C and Didomenico, C. Nursing in the Dark: The Challenges of Photodynamic Therapy in patients with Plexiform Neurofibromas and neurofibromatosis type 1.
Associate Program Director, Pediatric Oncology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Editorial Board Member, Pediatric Nursing
Professional Consultant, Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania
Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Nursing of Children Acute/Chronic Nurse Practitioner Graduate program, University of Pennsylvania
Inpatient Nursing Leadership Committee
Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON)
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing: Alpha Nu. Past chapter president.