title: A survey of the breast care nurse role in the provision of information and supportive care to Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the role of the Australian breast care nurse in the provision of information and support to women with breast cancer, with a focus on the differences experienced depending on geographic work context.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study conducted in 2013, involved surveying BCNs currently working in Australia, using a newly developed self-report online survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty breast care nurses completed the survey, 40% from major cities, 42% from inner regional Australia and 18% from outer regional, remote and very remote Australia. Patterns of service indicated higher caseloads in urban areas, with fewer kilometres served. Breast care nurses in outer regional, remote and very remote areas were less likely to work in multi-disciplinary teams and more likely to spend longer consulting with patients. Breast care nurses reported they undertook roles matching the competency standards related to the provision of education, information and support; however, there were barriers to fulfilling competencies including knowledge based limitations, time constraints and servicing large geographical areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was the first Australian study to describe the role of the breast care nurse nationally and the first study to investigate breast care nurses perceived ability to meet a selection of the Australian Specialist Breast Nurse Competency Standards. Important differences were found according to the geographical location of breast care nurses.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine Australian Catholic University PO Box 256 Dickson Australian Capital Territory 2602 Australia.
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahern
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine Australian Catholic University PO Box 256 Dickson Australian Capital Territory 2602 Australia.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine Australian Catholic University PO Box 456 Virginia Queensland 4014 Australia.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Courtney
keywords: Health services research; nursing roles; oncology nursing; rural nursing; surveys