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Specialist Certificate in Cancer Nursing (SC-CNCRNUR) // Attributes, outcomes and skills
About this course
Coordinator
Trevor Saunders
Contact
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm AEST/AEDT.
Further information: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/specialist-certificate-in-cancer-nursing/
Intended learning outcomes
The course learning outcomes are adapted from competency standards for nurses in cancer control (The National Cancer Nursing Education Project (EdCaN), Cancer Australia, 2009).
The Specialist Certificate in Cancer Nursing provides students with the theoretical knowledge and an understanding of the scientific advances specific to cancer nursing by:
- Applies essential legal and ethical decision-making principles in planning care for the person affected by cancer
- Recognises the potential hazards associated with the provision of cancer therapies and complies with safety regulations
- Acknowledges the need to ensure people affected by cancer have adequate knowledge of the potential benefits and adverse effects of cancer treatment while respecting their beliefs and preferences
- Understands the impact the diagnosis of cancer has on multidimensional domains of health and well-being
- Considers culturally appropriate care that demonstrates respect and understanding for people's beliefs and preferences regarding cancer and its treatment
- Understands the principles for assessing and managing the clinical and supportive care needs of the person affected by cancer
- Accesses evidence-based resources to understand patient-centred treatment and management plans
- Identifies and understands the range of support services available to the person affected by cancer and their family/support network
- Considers nursing care that incorporates physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual aspects and knowledge pertaining to the care of the person affected by cancer
- Demonstrates knowledge of how to access and refer to tertiary-level cancer-care services
- Knowledge to understand the scientific advances in treatment modalities available to care for persons affected by cancer
- Knowledge of the importance of health literacy and its impact on patient experience and outcomes
Generic skills
- Apply a high level of problem solving skills to their area of clinical practice
- A high level of critical thinking and analytical skills
- A high level of oral and written communication skills
- Feel confident when tackling unfamiliar problems
- The ability to plan their own work
Graduate attributes
The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:
Academically excellent:
- have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
- have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline
- reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
- be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
- be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
Knowledgeable across disciplines:
- examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
- expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
- have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
- have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
Leaders in community:
- initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
- have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
- mentor future generations of learners
- engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
Attuned to cultural diversity:
- value different cultures
- be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
- have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
- respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
Active global citizens:
- accept social and civic responsibilities
- be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
- have a broad understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics
Last updated: 18 December 2020