Charlotte Musgrove: A journey in pediatric cancer nursing
Charlotte Musgrove has carved out an impactful career in pediatric nursing at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. With a mother who works at the renowned Mayo Clinic, she found inspiration close to home. During her senior year of college, Musgrove realized her desire to engage more directly with patients.
“I called my mom and said, I think I want to go to nursing school,“ Musgrove said. “She was a bit surprised, and she joked that she wished I had decided a little sooner, as I was just about to finish my degree in public health, but that she would help me pay for nursing school.”
Musgrove’s initial exposure to the world of healthcare came with practical experience as a summer camp counselor and nanny, which drew her to the pediatrics field. Her passion for oncology nursing ignited during a high school visit to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where she witnessed first-hand the compassionate care extended to her friend suffering from acute myeloid leukemia.
She embarked on her professional journey in March 2020, joining Stanford Children’s through their graduate program after completing an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “It was the beginning of the pandemic, and I wasn’t sure if they were going to keep the Vizient Program.” Despite starting her career amidst the global pandemic, Musgrove swiftly rose to a clinical IV role, stepping up as a mentor to new nurses and beginning her work in community support.
Her dedication transcends her clinical duties, as Musgrove recently spearheaded a successful fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer United, previously known as the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, rallying a team of nurses, family and friends to raise $82,000 within ten weeks as part of the “Visionaries of the Year Campaign.”
With a taste of advocacy for improved cancer patient care, Musgrove knew that she wanted to do more. “Although I came in as runner-up in the Visionaries of the Year Campaign, I wanted to stay involved.”
Musgrove now serves on the Blood Cancer United board. Her advocacy led her to the Dare to Dream Summit in Washington D.C., lobbying for the Accelerating Access to Care Act and the Give Kids a Chance Act—two pivotal bills aimed at enhancing pediatric cancer treatment and research funding.
Musgrove’s views on pediatric cancer treatment reveal a pressing need for less toxic therapies and greater research investment. She has actively engaged with policy and advocacy groups to campaign for increased federal funding, addressing the gap left by pharmaceutical companies that focus on adult cancer treatments.
“I got to meet and work with the congressional delegation in California. I learned so much from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff. They listened and appreciated my experience with patients and their families and helped me to share my knowledge in an impactful way.”
Musgrove would characterize her professional environment at Stanford as supportive management structure and a collaborative nursing community. Her connection with fellow Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases nurses, Kara and Jamie, highlights the strong personal and professional bonds she cherishes.
“I consider myself fortunate to be working with my best friends. They understand like no one else what it takes to care for our patients and their families. On the really tough days, if I need a moment to collect myself, Jamie will step in without hesitation, and then on the commute home we can breathe, and laugh and cry together. It’s so important and it’s why I don’t think I will ever leave Stanford.”
Beyond the hospital, Musgrove channels her passion for health into teaching Pilates, mirroring her holistic approach to patient care. And as she explores expanding patient support networks through partnerships, she envisions enriching experiences for young oncology patients, bringing joy and hope along their challenging path. Her commitment to nursing excellence, patient advocacy, and community engagement demonstrated a powerful narrative of one nurse’s unwavering dedication to advancing pediatric care at Stanford Children’s and beyond.
Learn more about the Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases >