If you have any questions, please contact us at:
Phone: 604.877.6098, Extension 2638
Toll-Free: 1.800.663.3333, Extension 2638
E-mail: nursinged@bccancer.bc.ca
Oncology Nursing at the BC Cancer Agency
At the BC Cancer Agency, nurses play an essential role in the care, treatment and education of cancer patients around the province. Using a patient-centered approach, they work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to provide and maintain the highest standards of care, and participate in research and the transfer of knowledge to practice. Nurses care for BCCA patients and families through assessment, education and interventions related to treatment (including identifying risk factors and minimizing side effects) and related to the bio-psychosocial management of cancer. The support and information provided by oncology nurses extends to families and to the community.
Oncology nurses are highly valued and respected members of our cancer care teams. For this reason, the BC Cancer Agency supports oncology nurses with orientation, continuing education opportunities, ongoing professional development, clinical support and certification programs. We are continuously searching to recruit dedicated nursing professionals to join our dynamic health care teams.
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Nursing Student Learning Opportunities
The BC Cancer Agency is pleased to support the development of oncology nurses and nursing students. We have a firm belief in the value of learning and its relationship to competency and professional development. Therefore, it is important that we promote learning opportunities for the profession of nursing.
As we are a facility that promotes interprofessional collaboration, students will also have the opportunity to work with a variety of disciplines. This includes nutritionists, pharmacists, physicians, physiotherapists, patient and family counsellors, dentists, radiation therapists and respiratory therapists.
While at the BC Cancer Agency, students will have the opportunity to develop:
- knowledge of cancer and the illness experience;
- knowledge of various treatment modalities;
- knowledge of pain and symptom management;
- skills related to nursing care and assessment;
- interpersonal skills related to working with patients, families and health care team members;
- skills related to patient education design and/or delivery;
- an understanding of professional nursing practice; and
- an understanding of evidence-based practice.
Principles:
There are four fundamental principles that guide our academic and clinical placements:
- The promotion of a positive image of professional nursing
- The promotion of oncology nursing as a specialty area of practice
- The contributions oncology nurses can make to student learning (undergraduate and graduate)
- The development of nurses in cancer care
We will endeavour to support one preceptorship experience at a time on our inpatient untis and in each program (i.e. systemic therapy, radiation therapy, pain and symptom management, etc.), by providing a nurse preceptor to facilitate the student's learning experience.
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Academic and Clinical Placements
There are four areas in which the BC Cancer Agency can offer placements and support nursing education:
1. Undergraduate Nursing - includes diploma and baccalaureate nursing students and post-registered nurse (RN) students in degree streams or enrolled in specialty programs (oncology, palliative care). Third or fourth year students are suitable for preceptorship in our ambulatory care areas while students in their final year of school would benefit from a preceptorship experience on one of our hospital units. We welcome students of all levels for observation, project or research experiences. Unique requests will also be given consideration.
Nursing clinical placements (Word document)
2. Graduate Students - students in nursing programs at the Masters or Doctoral levels, or nurses enrolled in graduate programs in a related field. Any research initiatives would be undertaken once ethical reviews had been completed and authorization granted by the Clinical Investigations Committee and university faculty.
3. International Students - Students enrolled in nursing programs in other countries, who desire a clinical placement in oncology nursing. Students enrolled in baccalaureate nursing programs in other countries, and who are nearing the completion of their program, are welcome to apply for a clinical placement at the BC Cancer Agency. It is understood that:
- the student is responsible for financing the placement (i.e., travel and accommodation costs are borne by the student);
- the faculty of the international program provides the curriculum objectives and arranges for guidance and monitoring through the BCCA preceptor;
- the international program provides malpractice insurance coverage during the student's placement; and
- the student is in good health and has documentation of health status and current immunization records.
4. Communities Oncology Network Nurses - Registered nurses working in other agencies, centres or communities who want to learn about and practice in the area of cancer care.
The BC Cancer Agency is able to provide limited clinical placements for registered nurses who work in community oncology settings. The learning objectives would be based on the nurse's desire to learn about the art and science of oncology nursing. Included learning opportunities would be knowledge and skill in caring for patients and families with cancer, receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy; guided practice and certification in added nursing skills.
It is understood that the requesting hospital/ setting will:
- be responsible for the RN's accommodation, travel and salary replacement costs while at the BCCA; and
- provide a synopsis of the nurse's practice setting and identify specific objectives to be met during the placement.
Please note that we are unable to support LPN clinical placements at any of the BCCA Regional Centes at this time.
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Process for Arranging Academic and Clinical Placements:
Requests:
All requests for academic and clinical placements should be made to the education resource nurse (ERN) for the cancer centre of interest. We suggest that requests be made three times a year in order for the ERN to confirm with nurse leaders that the request can be met. The education resource nurse will endeavour to confirm placements two to three weeks following the submission dates (August 31st for Winter requests, January 15th for Spring requests and March 31st for Fall requests). Our nurse leaders will appoint an appropriate preceptor and collaborate with the ERN to determine the student's schedule. The ERN will be the point person at the BC Cancer Agency for school communications.
Placement Agreements:
The education resource nurse will ensure that there is a signed agreement between the school/ program and Agency which provides clear outline of:
- nature of placements;
- role of faculty;
- role of Agency staff;
- insurance coverage;
- number of students; and
- other ___________________
The education resource nurse will also ensure that every student signs a confidentiality agreement at the beginning of the experience.
Confidentiality agreement (Word document)
Evaluation:
We envision that evaluation is an interactive, iterative process. This means that:
- preceptors contribute to evaluating learner performance during the placement (as outlined by the school);
- learners evaluate the role of the preceptor; and
- learners provide feedback on the clinical placement experience.
Preceptors:
The BCCA/ educational institution provide opportunities for the development of preceptors. The Agency, in collaboration with faculty, identifies nurses to participate in clinical placements as preceptors. The Agency provides time for preceptor orientation.
Utilization of Clinical Skills:
Opportunities for undergraduate students to practice basic nursing skills are available in all settings. Added skills such as initiating IV therapy, administering chemotherapy, etc., are within the domain of registered nurses who have completed specialized education programs and as such will not be supported. If appropriate, students may be supported by their preceptor to complete Agency requirements for skill certification.
Orientation:
Whenever possible, we encourage all learners to the Agency to participate in an orientation program to understand:
- the process of patient care;
- oncology nursing practice; and
- emergency systems.
When groups of students will be placed in the Vancouver Centre, a one and a half hour orientation session will be arranged.
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Oncology Nursing Education Offered at the BC Cancer Agency
Please contact an education resource nurse to discuss potential nursing academic and clinical opportunities at: nursinged@bccancer.bc.ca or via phone at 604.877.6098, Extension 2638.
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Other Resources:
- The BC Cancer Agency Library offers a variety of pertinent journals, books, CD ROMs and videos for staff, students and patients
- A Competency-Based Education Program for the Oncology Primary Nurse in Ambulatory Care - designed to support BCCA nurses in developing this role - could be adapted to support oncology nurses in other roles and other settings
- An outline and materials for a study series to assist nurses preparing to write the Canadian Oncology Nursing Certification Exam
UsefulReferencesforNurses.doc (Word document)
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