Paediatric oncology nurse education: the development of a national framework.
BACKGROUND
It is recognized that there is a need for specialist nursing courses in a range of paediatric nursing specialities. Paediatric oncology nurses are facing challenges with clinical advances and the need for specialized care. At present there are no available courses in Scotland offering preparation for nurses working in a paediatric oncology setting.


OBJECTIVE
This project, supported by Macmillan Cancer Relief, addresses this deficit by developing a comprehensive framework for a small and widely dispersed speciality.


METHODS
Information on the needs and expectations of nurses and service managers in this field was obtained through postal questionnaires and focus groups. Due to the need for collaboration between higher educational institutions and service colleagues the views of educators were also established through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews.


RESULTS
Problematic practice issues were cited and these issues were further discussed and recognized as the main educational needs. Availability and accessibility of education were of great importance.


CONCLUSIONS
The framework developed aims to provide ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development within this speciality. Development of the educational framework is required to provide a course accessible to a wide geographical area of nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
A National Framework for Paediatric Oncology Nurse Education was developed in response to views of experts working in the field, to the views of other stakeholders and to what is known about needs and preferences of children with cancer and their families.
Tomlinson
Deborah
D
Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh, 31 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9JT, Scotland, UK. deborah.tomlinson@ed.ac.uk
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D017144:Focus Groups; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D016294:Models, Nursing; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012606:Scotland; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires