We encourage and support the advancement of cancer practice through participation in continuing professional development, empowering nurses to play an active, evidenced based role in supporting patients and their carers through their journey with us.

A number of National University of Ireland (NUI) accredited third level programmes, in partnership with RCSI School of Nursing, are facilitated by an Oncology Educator Coordinator based in Beaumont Hospital Centre of Education. Central to these courses are contributions from a wide variety of multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals involved in the provision of cancer services within and outside of Beaumont Hospital. Courses are facilitated using a blended learning approach, with study days delivered both in the classroom setting and online

Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre also provides hospital developed Cancer Care courses, with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) Category 1 approval, for nurses new to this speciality.

A nurse must complete a theoretical and clinical evaluation component for some of these courses, including supervised practice for systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) practice.

Post graduate courses available in conjunction with RCSI: Level 9 National Framework Qualification

• Postgraduate Diploma in Cancer Nursing
• Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing
• Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing
• Breast Disease Stand Alone Module
• Colorectal Disease Stand Alone Module
• Neuro-Oncology Stand Alone Module

Post graduate courses available with NMBI Category 1 approval

• Two day Introductory Course in Cancer Care
• Beaumont Hospital Specialist Practice Programme in Oncology/Haematology Nursing (Cancer Care)

Topics covered in the classroom setting for most courses include:

• Principles of SACTs (Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapies, Immunotherapy, Hormonal Therapy) including cell biology, cellular kinetics of   normal and malignant cells, goals of treatment, classifications and mechanism of action, drug selection and treatment regimes
• Toxicities, side effects and adverse events associated with SACTs
• Principles and requirements for safe handling of SACT’s and related waste
• Principles of safe SACT administration including hypersensitivity reaction and extravasation
• Assessment of the patient receiving cancer treatment and their family including Telephone Triage
• Oncological Emergencies
• Psycho/social oncology care
• Cancer prevention and screening
• Survivorship
• Selection, care and maintenance of vascular access devices (CVADs)
• Outline of the most common cancers
• Staging of cancer and tumour markers
• Delivering Bad News Well in Cancer Care Workshop

For further information contact our Oncology Education Coordinators:

Roisin Lawless and Aine Byrne

Tel: 01 8528794

Email: roisinlawless@beaumont.ie ainebyrne@beaumont.ie