Competency standards for specialist cancer nurses
The competency standards for the specialist cancer nurses (SCNs) are intended for those nurses who choose to become specialists in cancer control. These standards are designed for nurses who work in dedicated cancer services and may be primarily responsible for care of people at a specific phase of their journey (for example radiotherapy), across all phases of the cancer journey (for example specialist breast nursing), or who may work in a broader context but provide a specialist resource in cancer control to a range of generalist providers (for example a cancer nurse coordinator).
The competency standards are intended to represent the minimum standard required for specialist practice in cancer nursing. As their specialist practice advances, SCN's will demonstrate more effective integration of theory, practice and experiences along with increasing degrees of autonomy in judgments and interventions for people affected by cancer.1
Building on the competencies developed for the specialist breast nurse2 these competencies can be applied to all cancer settings. The four domains of practice defined in the ANMC competency standards for the registered nurse provide an organising framework for categorising the competency standards required of SCN's.3 p.2 These domains of nursing practice as defined in the earlier section relating to registered nurses are:
- professional practice
- critical thinking and analysis
- provision and coordination of care
- collaborative and therapeutic practice.
References
- Australian Nurisng and Midwifery Council. (2006) National competency standards for the Nurse Practitioner. Deakin, ACT.
- National Breast Cancer Centre. (2005) Specialist breast nurse competency standards and associated educational requirements. Camperdown: National Breast Cancer Centre.
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2006) National competency standards for the Registered Nurse 4th Edition. Dickson, ACT.