Strengthening the capabilities of our world-class cancer nursing workforce

To support Australia’s cancer nurses in their ongoing professional development learning, the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) is reviewing the National Professional Development Framework for Cancer Nursing (EdCan Framework). This will involve a scoping study to provide a comprehensive profile of existing specialist nursing frameworks and their key elements and understand the Australian Cancer Nurses views on the Framework and pathways to specialisation.

As part of the evolution of the professional development Framework, Cancer Australia will close the EdCaN website, www.edcan.org.au, from 27 October 2023.

For more information about the review please email the CNSA at clare@cnsa.org.au.

The Case Study videos within EdCaN can continue to be accessed here.

The National Professional Development Framework for Cancer Nursing is still available here.

Contemporary cancer professional education resources are also available at https://www.eviq.org.au/ and https://vcccalliancelearn.org.au/.

 
The resources are designed to support the professional development of all nurses in cancer care regardless of experience or setting. They provide highly flexible and accessible education materials to help:
  • All nurses achieve the core capabilities required in cancer control.
  • Specialist cancer nurses benchmark against the specialist cancer nurse competency standards.
  • Educators facilitate learning for all nurses in cancer control.

Visit website

 
The National Cancer Nursing Education (EdCaN) project provides a way forward for the development of the cancer nursing workforce in Australia through a framework and a set of capabilities outlining the role expectations of nurses working in cancer control.
 
The project's web-based resource materials, available here, will help nurses acquire these capabilities. The framework and accompanying education resources are part of the broader cancer control efforts needed to reduce the burden of cancer in Australia.
 
Project aims and deliverables
 
The EdCaN project aimed to develop:
  • A national framework for cancer nursing education that contributes to the development of a nursing workforce capable of meeting the future needs of people with cancer.
  • A suite of supporting educational resources sufficiently flexible to meet local needs while addressing issues associated with long-term workforce preparation.
 

EdCaN courses

Lymphoma
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Lymphoma

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in providing a coordinated approach to care planning, implementation and evaluation for people affected by NHL across the cancer journey.

Melanoma
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Melanoma

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in managing disease and treatment related care for a person at risk of or diagnosed with melanoma across the cancer journey.

Breast cancer
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Breast cancer

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in providing supportive care, information, and education to a person diagnosed with breast cancer at various points across the cancer journey.

This case study focuses on issues during and following active treatment, including specific issues associated with diagnosis and treatment of a contralateral second primary breast cancer.

Oesophageal cancer
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Oesophageal cancer

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in the delivery of evidence-based supportive care, including provision of information and education for people affected by oesophageal cancer.

Osteosarcoma
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Osteosarcoma

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in delivery of supportive care, including provision of information and education for people affected by osteosarcoma in adolescents and young adults (AYA).

Prostate cancer
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Prostate cancer

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in managing disease and treatment related care for a person at risk of or diagnosed with prostate cancer across a cancer journey.

Ovarian cancer
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Ovarian cancer

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in preventing, assessing and managing disease and treatment-related care for people affected by ovarian cancer across the cancer journey.
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Lung cancer

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in preventing and managing disease and treatment related care for a person at risk of or diagnosed with lung cancer.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
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Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in managing disease and treatment related care for the child and family affected by ALL across the cancer journey.

Head and neck cancer
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Head and neck cancer

This case study aims aim to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in ensuring a coordinated approach to care planning, implementation and evaluation across the cancer journey for people affected by head and neck cancer.

Colorectal cancer
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Colorectal cancer

This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in managing disease and treatment related care for a person at risk of or diagnosed with colorectal cancer across the cancer journey.