Developing a comprehensive framework for Australian Cancer Nurses

In contemporary 21^st-century healthcare, there is an increasing need to mobilise the full scope of practice of all members of the interprofessional cancer team to deliver high-quality cancer care through sustainable, efficient, and effective innovative models of care.

Cancer nurses have responded to the challenges facing healthcare through developing specialist knowledge and skills, advanced roles and nurse-led service delivery models safely embedded in the interprofessional team. However, there is no clear national consensus of the educational and professional development requirements of cancer nurses in Australia.  The development of a nationally agreed, evidence-informed oncology nursing framework will facilitate recruitment and retention because it will provide oncology nurses with a clear future career pathway leading to feeling valued and acknowledged which may help in turn prevent stress and burnout and nurses leaving the profession.