Diagnosis of childhood cancer represents one of the most sever stressors for the children's mothers. There is limited evidence of research directed toward assisting mothers of cancer children to develop strategies to cope with the complex experiences associated with the diagnosis of their children at the time of the diagnosis, and before their reaction to stress recognized. The current study is a pilot project sought to investigate the potential of a new type of initiative based on the idea of providing the mothers of cancer children with informal social support, were the support initiated in collaboration between the academic and clinical staffs. The informal social support initiative program started at the time of child diagnosis before the patient and patient families requested or even the physician ordered.Surveys results, along with discussion of the potential implications for reducing stress and anticipatory stress among mothers of cancer children by informal social support are presented.

Few studies have explored the experiences of nursing students participating in a collaborative informal social
support initiative. This study describes and explores how nursing students perceived their experiences of
participating in a pilot collaborative social support initiative program. The collaborative program initiated by the
faculty member, planned to facilitate the collaboration between the academic and clinical staffs in order to
manage the stress experienced by the mothers of cancer children, and to develop the nursing students knowledge
and skills.
Mixed method approach was used. Convenience sample of nursing students practiced to fulfill the requirement
of advanced nursing course objectives - a required last-semester nursing program course participating in the pilot
social support program. Qualitative data were collected using team and individual reflection. Self report reaction
index was used to collect quantitative data. SWOT analysis framework to analyze the internal and external
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that impact the program was utilized. Nursing students
participating in the initiative program were highly positive about their experiences

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