title: What is important for student nurses to know about cancer treatment and care: a qualitative study of student nurses' and stakeholder perspectives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the views of student nurses' and stakeholders of what is important for student nurses to know about cancer treatment and care.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Worldwide, the number of people living with cancer is increasing because the population is ageing and effective cancer treatments are prolonging survival. All nurses need knowledge, skills, confidence and competence to support people living with cancer. Education is an important tool in preparing a nursing workforce that can support people affected by cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, explorative qualitative design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews with 12 student nurses and seven stakeholders were conducted in 2014 (a subgroup of participants in a mixed-methods study investigating an innovation in undergraduate cancer education and reported elsewhere). The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two key findings emerged: the benefits of learning from people affected by cancer and knowledge deficits. Students valued the opportunity to meet people affected by cancer away from a clinical environment. It gave them the opportunity to gain skills and confidence, in providing information and psycho-educational support, in a safe and facilitated context. Students and stakeholders reported blended learning (lectures and engaging with both cancer clinicians and people affected by cancer) important for developing confidence and competence in cancer care. However, at the end of their education students identified knowledge deficits in relation to cancer screening, common cancers, treatment side effects and supporting people who have been given 'bad news'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collaborative working with people affected by cancer and educationalists has allowed the patient and carer experience to be placed at the centre of the undergraduate cancer education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research reveals the potential importance of the coproduction of undergraduate nurse cancer education, if nurses are to understand and improve the experience of people living with cancer and beyond.
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anstey
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ballie
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hopkinson
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: attitudes; cancer; nursing students