Article type
Abstract
Background
Improving the health and well-being of the population and reducing health inequality represents the Global Objective of the World Health Organization formulated in the Health 2020 Policy Framework. In this context, one key priority is to improve the professional capacity of oncology nurses to fulfil the objectives of people-centred care, quality and safety, evidence-based care and innovation promotion.
Method
In November 2023, a rapid review of the literature was performed in the online databases (N-Lex, JBI, Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS) to identify the European and national legislative regulations regarding the nursing profession, the national occupational standard of the nurses, and the competencies frameworks developed by the international oncology nursing associations.
Results
In the current practice context, oncology nurses are essential professionals in health care delivery, regardless of the circumstances in which care is provided. Therefore, the need for specific professional training for oncology nurses is globally recognized. However, this specialization is not implemented in Romania, and the nursing care is provided by general nurses who have learned specific oncological procedures at the point of care. In 2020, such a specialization was approved, but there are still no concrete steps in this regard. The theoretical model is in accordance with the recommendations of the European Oncology Nursing Society and is based on fundamental areas such as Risk reduction, Safety, Early Detection, End of Life, Communication, Leadership, Research Utilisation, Evidence based practices, Patient-centred care, Continuity of Care, Decision Making, Advocacy, Teaching and Coaching.
Conclusion
In Romania, the practical adapting of the national context to this theoretical competencies framework requirements will be a big challenge because the initial nursing professional program is not unitary, and only a small percentage of them access academic programs. In this context, the theoretical competency framework must be tested in groups of nurses with experience in the care of patients with cancer. On the other hand, a convenient solution to cover the gap between the oncology nurses' professional competencies requirements and the clinical reality will be to develop lifelong education programs adapted to their continuous professional development needs.
Improving the health and well-being of the population and reducing health inequality represents the Global Objective of the World Health Organization formulated in the Health 2020 Policy Framework. In this context, one key priority is to improve the professional capacity of oncology nurses to fulfil the objectives of people-centred care, quality and safety, evidence-based care and innovation promotion.
Method
In November 2023, a rapid review of the literature was performed in the online databases (N-Lex, JBI, Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS) to identify the European and national legislative regulations regarding the nursing profession, the national occupational standard of the nurses, and the competencies frameworks developed by the international oncology nursing associations.
Results
In the current practice context, oncology nurses are essential professionals in health care delivery, regardless of the circumstances in which care is provided. Therefore, the need for specific professional training for oncology nurses is globally recognized. However, this specialization is not implemented in Romania, and the nursing care is provided by general nurses who have learned specific oncological procedures at the point of care. In 2020, such a specialization was approved, but there are still no concrete steps in this regard. The theoretical model is in accordance with the recommendations of the European Oncology Nursing Society and is based on fundamental areas such as Risk reduction, Safety, Early Detection, End of Life, Communication, Leadership, Research Utilisation, Evidence based practices, Patient-centred care, Continuity of Care, Decision Making, Advocacy, Teaching and Coaching.
Conclusion
In Romania, the practical adapting of the national context to this theoretical competencies framework requirements will be a big challenge because the initial nursing professional program is not unitary, and only a small percentage of them access academic programs. In this context, the theoretical competency framework must be tested in groups of nurses with experience in the care of patients with cancer. On the other hand, a convenient solution to cover the gap between the oncology nurses' professional competencies requirements and the clinical reality will be to develop lifelong education programs adapted to their continuous professional development needs.