Background and Context:
The Kuwait Cancer Control Center’s (KCCC), Kuwait City, Kuwait, Vision is to “Achieve the best cancer care regionally and internationally”. In working toward this Vision, the KCCC Nursing department in collaboration with the UHN Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM), Toronto, Canada, Nursing department committed to making a significant contribution to cancer care in Kuwait by establishing an innovative education framework that develops specialized nursing knowledge, builds expertise in oncology care and provides leadership in evidence informed practice.
Aim:
To provide an oncology nursing education curriculum that builds a culture of inquiry, professional development and learner accountability.
Strategy/Tactics:
The UHN PM pathway is grounded in the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) Core Competency Standards and embeds a novice to expert progression. Working in collaboration, KCCC and UHN PM nursing departments adapted this model to meet the needs of the local context and delivered an oncology nursing education program meeting international standards and integrated core components of cultural competence into its delivery.
Programme/Policy Process:
The specialized oncology nursing education pathway consists of twelve (12) workshops, 10 Oncologic Emergencies eLearning modules and 4 Specialized Skill certifications. The pathway provides nurses with a solid understanding of the multi-professional management of cancer patients and prepares them to be active participants in the inter-professional approach to patient care.
Outcomes/What was learned:
The specialized oncology nursing pathway provides a framework for delivering consistent and high quality nursing orientation and continuing education programs. It uses a learner centered approach and competency assessment method to meet the various learning outcomes required to develop KCCC oncology nursing into a specialized practice and also uses a systematic approach for ongoing education needs analysis, program planning and evaluation.