Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing

Studying breast cancer nursing with ACN will provide you with the principles of breast cancer nursing in order to improve your knowledge and skills for the provision and coordination of evidenced based breast cancer care. The aim is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of clinical practice development for the improvement of patient outcomes. Our course is written by specialist nurses for nurses, and students are supported by a team of clinical experts, working within the speciality. Our electives allow students to further explore a specific area of interest related to breast cancer nursing.

The course aligns with the Specialist Breast Nurse Competency Standards and associated educational requirements (NBCC 2005) and the National Educational Framework for Cancer Nurses (EdCaN 2009). It responds to industry requirements by preparing graduates for specialist breast cancer nursing roles within the wide scope of breast cancer care.

Through critical analysis and reflection students are given the opportunity to evaluate their clinical and educational requirements to promote professional development for Specialist Breast Cancer Nursing care and lifelong learning. The course also supports development in clinical leadership roles such as clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse consultants or breast cancer nurse coordinators. The course focus includes the continuum of breast cancer care, evidence based practice, future trends and the impact of breast cancer on individuals, their families and communities.

ACN has proudly been providing education to McGrath Foundation nurses since 2013.

This course is designed to develop an understanding of breast cancer nursing with a strong clinical focus. It enables students to:

• demonstrate specialist knowledge that informs evidence based breast cancer nursing practice for the provision and coordination of patient care
• develop specialist clinical practice and advance their clinical decision making skills for the assessment and management of patients with breast cancer
• engage in and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients, their significant others and other members of the multidisciplinary care team
• develop professional and educational leadership skills to provide support for other clinicians and provide an overall contribution to the multi-disciplinary breast cancer care team
• critically analyse current literature and nursing practice to provide evidence based contemporary care for patients diagnosed with breast cancer
• examine their ability to reflect on personal and professional values and attitudes in relation to the care of patients with breast cancer and their families and carers.

Core subjects:

• Breast Cancers (112)
• Breast Cancer Treatments (279)
• Continuum of Care in Breast Cancer Nursing (280)

Elective subjects (choose one elective from the following)

• Assessing and Managing Adult Pain (113)
• Chemotherapy and Other Systemic Treatments in Cancer Care (217)
• Communication - Applied Strategies for Health Care Professionals (187)
• Principles of Palliative Care Nursing (314)

Disclaimer: Fees vary dependent on subject electives chosen