Introduction to Oncology Nursing
A four week online tutored CPD course with Nicola Read
Following completion of the tutored course, you now have unlimited lifetime access to the learning resources. These are provided for future reference only, and no further CPD hours may be claimed for reviewing the materials.
Week 1
What is Cancer?
- Pathophysiology of neoplasia
- Common causes of cancer in animals
- Classifications of cancer types
- The difference between benign and malignant disease
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Understand the alterations in the cell cycle that results in neoplastic disease
- List the different types of cancer based on tissue origin
- Describe the different causes of cancer in small animals
- Explain how benign disease is different to malignant disease and the risks associated with both conditions
- Identify higher risk categories of patients and analyse the research available in line with evidence-based medicine
Week 2
Diagnosis and Prognosis
- Fine needle aspirates
- Cancer cytology
- Cancer staging
- Specialist tests for cancer
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- List fine needle aspirate methods to optimise cytological yield
- Evaluate a cytology sample in-house to ensure sample is of diagnostic quality
- Understand the commonly preferred methods for staging patients with neoplasia
- Describe the types of specialist tests required to further categorise cancer
- Analyse personal skill set and determine if any modifications to current practice would be beneficial
Week 3
Common Chemotherapy Agents
- Overview of common chemotherapy drugs
- Administering chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy safety
- Adverse effects with administering chemotherapy
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Understand how chemotherapy agents work
- Explain how to correctly administer chemotherapy agents
- List what safety factors should be observed when administering chemotherapy in practice
- Describe how to manage an extravasation injury and reduce risk of chemotherapy associated nausea and vomiting
- Evaluate practice protocols to standardise and promote best practice in line with most current information
Week 4
Client and Patient Support
- Introduction to oncology clinics
- Nadir checks
- Managing adverse effects following chemotherapy administration
- The Cancer Journey
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Describe how and why a nadir check is performed
- Identify common adverse effects associated with chemotherapy
- Understand preventive and interventional treatment protocols for chemotherapy associated adverse effects
- Explain the causes for likely outcome of treatment failure and the physiology behind this
- Reflect over professional skill set and evaluate how you can further enhance your personal development to support clients of patients with cancer
CPD Course Content
Introduction to Oncology Nursing
Course progress
Online CPD for Vet Nurses
Excel CPD specialises in providing online CPD for veterinary nurses and technicians all over the globe. Our courses are also fully approved by AVNAT for our nursing colleagues in Australia and New Zealand.