Beyond the Chemotherapy Certificate: Building a Knowledge Base Virtually for Oncology Nursing Practice Across a Health System
In a 51-hospital system serving seven states in the western United States, an organizational assessment in 2016 indicated critical staff shortages in one region for chemotherapy and immunotherapy–trained nurses. Leadership across the system was also concerned about nurse retention and turnover rates. Oncology nursing professional development practitioners designed and implemented a new multimodal oncology curriculum that utilizes a flipped classroom technique. Results indicate that first-year turnover rates were lower in nurses who participated. Healthcare systems are encouraged to invest in organizational infrastructure to implement nurse transition into practice programs to prepare, sustain, and stimulate specialization in oncology nursing.
AT A GLANCE
- Implementation of a standardized nurse residency and fellowship curriculum provides a foundation for the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to deliver high-quality oncology care.
- Virtual learning platforms can leverage the clinical expertise of specialty nurse educators by extending their reach to geographically distant clinical settings.
- Nurse residency and fellowship programs decrease first-year turnover rates and motivate interest in future oncology nursing certification.
