Addressing professional development needs in neuroendocrine cancer nursing

#3400

Introduction: Adult Neuroendocrine Cancer nursing is a highly specialised field where expertise in both knowledge and appropriate skills can make a significant contribution - especially in the promotion and maintenance of high standards of practice, education for the patient and the application of safe evidence-based knowledge and skills the patient requires when diagnosed with a rare disease.

Aim(s): Whilst studies have found that the presence of a specialist nurse has the potential to support a more positive patient experience, research suggests that many nurses, even those within the field, lack confidence in supporting those diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer. Participation in and proof of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is a pre-requisite to maintaining professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, in the U.K. However, to date, there is an identified lack of inclusion of Neuroendocrine Cancer into Cancer Nurse Education programmes.

Materials and methods: In May 2021, the Neuroendocrine Cancer Nurse Competency Framework was accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Devised and written by senior, expert Neuroendocrine Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists, the framework sets out a series of competencies, to be used to support work-based learning. Although the framework provided a structure there was still an unmet need for a programme of learning.

Conference:

Presenting Author: Jervis N

Authors: Jervis N, Bouvier C, Talbot L, Quirk K, Chesser B,

Keywords: education, neuroendocrine, nursing,