The College of Nursing

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Breast cancer nursing

Course Dates

19 July 2010 to 1 July 2011

Course Code

061 04 008 13

Applications Close

Privately-funded applicants 31 March 2010

Award

The College of Nursing Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing

Length

This course is conducted part- time over two semesters and consists of four subjects (150 hours each).

Admission

All applicants are required to:

1. hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse equivalent qualification

2. be currently registered in the state or territory in which they practise (Division 1 in Victoria)

3. have a minimum of one year postgraduate experience

4. be currently employed in an area where breast cancer patients are treated or have follow-up care.

This course is for privately- funded students only.

Course Structure

and attendance

The course is conducted by distance education (DE) including self-directed study and online activities. Students complete four subjects by DE.

Students will receive course materials to support their learning. It is recommended that students study for approximately 12–15 hours a week. The amount of time will be determined by individual learning needs.

Students are supported by the course co-ordinator and subject tutors with whom they are encouraged to maintain regular contact. Networking between students is encouraged through the use of the ‘online’ classroom.

Course Goals

The Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing aims to cultivate excellence in the delivery of specialist breast cancer care in a diversity of clinical environments. This is to be achieved through the exploration and integration of theoretical knowledge along with the development of skills and reflection on attitudes, values and current clinical practice. Clinical nursing graduates are prepared

for practice as specialist breast cancer nurses within multidisciplinary health care teams.

Educational and occupational outcomes

This course is designed to:

• promote an attitude of life-long learning, empowering students to expand their knowledge and provide them with the skills, attitudes and values within the context of breast cancer nursing

• increase the students’ specialist knowledge base within the specialty of breast cancer nursing, improve their assessment skills and demonstrate an ability to integrate information to provide a high standard of patient care

• develop and enhance their clinical decision making using multiple modes of inquiry including a collaborative approach

• establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with patients, their family and other members of the health care team

• develop leadership and educational skills in the clinical setting to provide support for other clinicians and provide an overall contribution to the health care team

• critically analyse current literature and nursing practice to provide evidence-based contemporary care for patients

• reflect on their own values and attitudes in relation to the care of patients with breast cancer and their families and carers.

Student Performance

The College supports a policy of ongoing assessment of students. The assessment process seeks to enhance students’ problem- solving, critical thinking and analytical skills to promote an advanced level of clinical practice. The College endeavours to use a range of assessment strategies that provide opportunities for students to pursue individual learning needs.

Students are required to successfully complete all assessment items, compulsory course requirements and participate in online discussions.

Subject Outlines

Subject One - Breast cancers
(Subject Code: 112)

Available in: GC Breast Cancer Nursing, CPD

Mode of delivery: Distance education

Pre-requisites: Nil

This subject is designed for both breast specialist and generalist nurses. The subject reviews normal anatomy and physiology of the breast in relation to pathological findings associated with the different types of breast cancer. Global issues of epidemiology, aetiology, risk factors, breast cancer screening and diagnostic factors are discussed in detail. Clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, pathology findings and pathophysiology of specific types of breast cancers are addressed in relation to current treatment guidelines. There is a compulsory online component for this subject.

There is no prescribed text.

Subject Two - Communication: Applied strategies for health care professionals
(Subject Code: 187)

Available in: GC Acute Care Nursing, GC Advanced Nursing, GC Breast Cancer Nursing, GC Cancer Nursing, CPD

Mode of delivery: Distance education

Pre-requisites: Nil

The subject is designed to advance existing communication skills and provide the student with the opportunity to develop additional strategies to improve their own personal skills when caring for patients facing various health challenges, such as; caring for patients with life limiting illnesses and life threatening events.

Responsibilities when communicating with patients with specific challenges, such as children, adolescents, aged care, disability, disfigurement, challenging behaviors are explored with the aim to empower the student to have confidence within themselves and to be able to empower their patients. Students are encouraged to explore their own emotional responses to and engage in self reflection and analysis of their own communication methods and strategies to increase their awareness of sensitive issues.

There is no prescribed text.

Subject Three - Breast cancer nursing: Interventions in breast cancer care
(Subject Code: 114)

Available in: GC Breast Cancer Nursing, CPD

Mode of delivery: Distance education

Pre-requisites: Nil

This subject addresses treatment options relevant to individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. Topics include localised treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy, systemic treatments including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and biological modifiers. Side effects will also be addressed. Broader issues related to culture, body image and sexuality will be discussed along with the role of community support and follow-up. There is a compulsory online component for this course.

There is no prescribed text.

Subject Four - Breast cancer: Role of the nurse in the management of breast cancer care
(Subject Code: 118)

Available in: GC Breast Cancer Nursing, CPD

Mode of delivery: Distance education

Pre-requisites: Nil

This subject explores the role of nurses in the management of breast cancer. Nurses are pivotal to the provision of holistic patient care and require knowledge and skills to work within a multidisciplinary team caring for patients as their disease progresses. This subject has a symptom management focus, designed to equip nurses to care for patients with metastatic breast disease. The management of specific symptoms and the effects of treatment are addressed as well as end-of-life issues, communication and psychological issues in the continuum of care.

The role of the breast specialist nurse is explored within a professional, legal and ethical framework with emphasis on research and evidenced-based practice. There is a compulsory online component for this subject.

There is no prescribed text.

Curriculum Implementation

This course encourages students to draw upon their experiences, providing opportunities to reflect on and critique their knowledge, skills and attitudes, in light of current literature, research and best practice guidelines.