The BCCA Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Education Program

Since the early 1980’s, Professional Practice Nursing at the BCCA has facilitated an education program to prepare Registered Nurses to utilize an evidence based approach to planning and providing safe care to people with cancer receiving systemic therapy. The program has been updated to ensure that new evidence has been integrated and that learning activities are sufficiently varied to address different learning styles. The program elements reflect the Cancer Chemotherapy Nursing Standards and Competencies (2011) developed by the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology. .

There are four major components:

1. Completion of a self directed theoretical component and an open book examination (pass mark 80%)

2. Two 4 hour workshop sessions (offered up to 7 times per year)

3. 3 day clinical practicum

4. Continuing competency process

All materials are now distributed electronically and commencing in March of 2012, participants will attend the workshop component via videoconferencing technology. This change is supported by evidence which suggests that videoconferencing improves access to continuing education, is well received by participants and is as effective as a face to face delivery format when evaluating competency via a post test measure.

Registered Nurses from the Communities Oncology Network (CON) can complete the practicum in their own oncology practice setting provided the following criteria are met:

• There are experienced chemotherapy nurse preceptors to mentor and support the learner
• The preceptor is supernumerary for the 3 day practicum
• Patient care activities associated with chemotherapy administration are sufficient in number and variation to enable the RN to meet the learning objectives
• The organization has established chemotherapy policies and procedures

During the months of March and April, Professional Practice Nursing is offering several opportunities for preceptors from both the BCCA and CON to attend workshops where: the updated program will be discussed; tools and processes will be reviewed; and Preceptors will learn how to support learners to develop a learning plan. Please contact Theressa Zapach @ tzapach@bccancer.bc.ca for additional information regarding the workshops.

Please refer to the BCCA Website http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/Nursing/Education 
for information related to this education program.

Thank you.

The Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Education Program Working Group

Anne Hughes, Brenda la Prairie, Esther Chow, Allison Filewich, Theressa Zapach, Michelle Moore, Lindsay Schwartz, Johanna den Duyf, Jagbir Kohli, Kimberly Charles