From the Guidelines
Nurse practitioners in oncology require a comprehensive set of clinical skills, including strong assessment, communication, and symptom management abilities, as well as proficiency in managing cancer treatments and technical skills, to provide effective care to cancer patients, as emphasized by the most recent evidence from 2022 1.
Key Clinical Skills
- Strong assessment skills, including the ability to conduct thorough physical examinations and recognize oncologic emergencies
- Proficiency in managing cancer treatments, including knowledge of chemotherapy regimens, immunotherapy protocols, targeted therapies, and their potential side effects
- Symptom management skills, including addressing pain, nausea, fatigue, and other cancer-related symptoms
- Technical skills, such as central line management, bone marrow biopsy techniques, and wound care
- Strong communication abilities to discuss complex treatment plans, prognosis, and end-of-life care with patients and families
Importance of Communication and Collaboration
- Effective communication is crucial in oncology care, as highlighted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology consensus guideline from 2017 1
- Collaborative practice skills are essential for working effectively within multidisciplinary teams
- Emotional intelligence is vital for providing compassionate care during difficult conversations about disease progression or transitioning to palliative care
Latest Evidence and Recommendations
- The most recent evidence from 2022 suggests that nurse-led models of care can be effective in promoting high-quality survivorship care and research in Europe 1
- The integration of palliative care into standard oncology care is recommended, as outlined in the American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update from 2017 1
- Understanding and addressing the role of coping in palliative care for patients with advanced cancer is crucial, as emphasized by the study from 2020 1
From the Research
Clinical Skills for Success in Oncology as a Nurse Practitioner
- The role of an oncology nurse practitioner (ONP) requires advanced practice skills, including high-level knowledge and skills in oncology 2, 3.
- ONPs must be able to provide expert care to patients with cancer, including symptom management and support to alleviate stress and improve quality of life 4, 5.
- The Oncology Nursing Society has developed competencies for ONPs, which provide a solid, evidence-based benchmark to standardize the ONP role and practice 2.
- These competencies include skills such as:
- Assessing and managing symptoms
- Providing emotional support and counseling
- Coordinating care and communicating with other healthcare professionals
- Staying up-to-date with the latest research and treatments in oncology
- Advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) can also make significant contributions to oncology care, particularly in supporting elderly patients with long-term conditions 4, 5.
- ANPs can provide clinical support to cancer patients, including symptom management and alleviating stress, and can aid patients in improving their quality of life 4.
- The use of web-enhanced education resources, such as the Oncology Nurse Practitioner Web Education Resource (ONc-PoWER), can help new ONPs develop the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care to patients with cancer 6.
- These resources can provide training on essential didactic and skills development, including core clinical skills such as assessing and managing symptoms, and providing emotional support and counseling 6.