Posted 07 February 2023 - 11:49
Posted 07 February 2023 - 11:49
News
Nursing people with cancer: a framework to boost your career
Cancer nursing skills and education development pathways are designed to expand cancer nurse workforce, create consistency for clinicians and patients and enable staff to improve care
Cancer nursing skills and education development pathways are designed to expand cancer nurse workforce, create consistency for clinicians and patients and enable staff to improve care
Nurses looking to enhance their skills in cancer care will be supported by a new professional framework.
The Health Education England (HEE) framework aims to expand the cancer workforce and support reform in cancer nurses’ education, training and career pathways.
It addresses seven levels of practice, from supportive and assistive to advanced and consultant. Nurses at all levels caring for people living with cancer get support and guidance on how to enhance their knowledge and skills and pursue a career in cancer nursing.
Shortage of specialist cancer nurses
Last year, a report published by MPs on the Commons health and social care committee warned the NHS will be short of 3,371 specialist cancer nurses by 2030.
HEE chief nurse Mark Radford said: ‘As scientific and technological innovations continue to improve our abilities to fight this challenging disease, it can become just as complex to ensure our cancer workforce is prepared for such rapid changes and advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer care.
‘The programme will support our cancer nurses and allied health professionals to stay fit for the future with a national framework of education pathways to help our staff improve and expand their cancer services.’
The framework has been endorsed by the RCN as an ‘essential resource’ for nurses.
Nurses are dealing with increased cancer treatment backlogs
Chair of the college’s cancer and breast care forum Nikki Morris said: ‘Knowledge and skill set lie at the core of providing all aspects of cancer care. This framework provides agreed descriptors, capabilities and career pathways to give uniformity and guidance to individual nurses, organisations and the general public.’
Macmillan Cancer Support said the framework comes at a critical time for the UK nursing workforce, which is dealing with increased waiting times and cancer backlogs.
The framework was published as part of the UK-wide Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme.
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