Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing

Studying cancer nursing with ACN will provide you with the principles of cancer nursing in order to improve your knowledge and skills for the provision and coordination of evidenced based 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 cancer nursing.

The course aligns with the National Educational Framework for Cancer Nurses (EdCaN) and responds to industry requirements for flexible multifaceted practitioners who are able to practice in various cancer environments as well as preparing graduates for specialist cancer nursing roles within the wide scope of cancer nursing.

Students engage in the planning, development and evaluation of their own clinical and educational requirements to promote lifelong learning through critical analysis and reflection of their student experiences. Graduates can use their extended knowledge in clinical specialties to develop their career pathway and can go on to seek employment in various specialist cancer nursing areas and leadership roles such as clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse consultants or cancer nurse coordinators. The focus is on evidence based practice for the prevention, diagnosis, pathology and treatments of cancer. The continuum of care is addressed from a multidisciplinary team approach from diagnosis, primary care to include follow-up care, survivorship and palliative care. Future treatment trends and the exploration of the impact on the individual, family and community are included.

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

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

Core subjects:

• Stress Response and Health Breakdown (277)
• Chemotherapy and Other Systemic Treatments in Cancer Care (217)
• Leadership and Professional Practice (925)

Elective subjects (choose one elective from the following)

• Assessing and Managing Adult Pain (113)
• Blood and Marrow Transplantation (186)
• Breast Cancers (112)
• Communication - Applied Strategies for Health Care Professionals (187)
• Foundations of Haematology Nursing (312)
• Principles of Palliative Care Nursing (314)

Disclaimer: Fees vary dependent on subject electives chosen