de Souza Learning Pathway for Nurses New to Oncology

Cancer care has been advancing rapidly and is becoming more complex than before. Patients are living longer due to new treatment modalities. Nurses caring for patients with cancer need specialized knowledge and skills to deliver best care. de Souza Institute has developed a set of online courses specifically designed for nurses new to oncology. These courses are based on the latest provincial and national oncology nursing practice standards, directly linked to clinical practices, and can be integrated into oncology orientation for health care organizations in Canada.

New to Cancer Care – Level 1

Initial orientation

Foundations in Oncology Nursing Practice (FOND)(40 learning hours)

Pathophysiology
Main cancer treatment modalities
Four most common disease sites (lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer)
Assessment and management of symptoms
Oncologic emergencies

Up to 6 months of practice in oncology

Cancer disease sites (continued learning from a large selection of cancer disease sites as per clinic/organizational needs) (up to 12.5 learning hours per disease site) – Prerequsite: FOND

Education in palliative care – Palliative care approach in care (EPCA)(18 learning hours)

Note: Your organization should provide a site/department specific orientation: preceptorship/mentorship on skills, process, policies and standard operating procedures.

de Souza Pathway level 1 in Oncology Fundamentals
(minimum of 60 total learning hours)

Continuing in Cancer Care – Level 2

6-9 months of practice

Cancer disease sites (continued learning from a large selection of cancer disease sites as per clinic/organizational needs) (up to 12.5 learning hours per disease site) – Prerequsite: FOND

9-12 months of practice

Provincial Standardized Chemotherapy and Biotherapy (PSCB) (35 learning hours) – Prerequsite: Nurses with vascular access device competence.

Note:

To achieve “initial competency” in chemo/biotherapy, PSCB must be completed as well as the organization’s specific on-the-job training;
Maintenance of competence requires the completion of an approved maintenance course every 2 years, plus self-reflection and professional development.

de Souza Pathway Level 2 in Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Education
(minimum of 110 total learning hours)

Source: Cancer Care Ontario. Systemic Cancer Treatment Administration: Initial and Continuing Competence Standards for Registered Nurses. 2021

Specialty in Cancer Care – Level 3

1 year and beyond

See de Souza course calendar for additional courses – examples below

Complex Malignant hematology (CMHE) for nurses who are in hematology (40 learning hours)
Patient Teaching for Oral Chemotherapy and Biotherapy (PTCB) (5 learning hours)
Patient Navigation (PNON) (28 learning hours)
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice (EBPC) (14 learning hours)
Advanced pain assessment and management (APAM) (24 learning hours)
Management of depression and anxiety (MDAC) (10 learning hours)
Interprofessional Psychosocial Oncology: Introduction to Theory and Practice (IPODE) (48 learning hours)
Chemotherapy and biotherapy maintenance course (CCMD) (5 learning hours)
Study group: Canadian Nurses Association Oncology Nursing National Exam (COES) (30 learning hours)

de Souza Pathway Level 3 in Oncology Nursing
(minimum of 200 total learning hours, covering all 4 domains of competencies*)

*treatment and delivery of evidence based care, therapeutic and supportive relationships, developing professional practice and leadership, patient teaching and education.