Cancer Nursing Careers

The Cancer Nursing Careers programme provides cancer-specific learning for registered nurses who deliver care to people affected by cancer (PABC) in non-specialist settings across primary, secondary and community services. The programme consists of eight elearning sessions aligned to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Cancer Nursing Career and Education Framework. Sessions do not need to be completed in a fixed order, although undertaking them sequentially may help learners build knowledge progressively. The programme covers key areas of cancer nursing practice including the context of cancer nursing; basic science and cancer treatment; nursing assessment and interventions; cancer as a chronic illness; supportive and palliative care; understanding the impact of cancer on individuals, families and professionals; information and communication in cancer care; clinical leadership and resource management; and evidence-based and applied research in cancer care. The learning aims to strengthen knowledge of cancer, develop skills in holistic assessment, enhance communication, and increase confidence when supporting PABC across diverse care environments.

This programme is designed for registered nurses working outside specialist oncology services who regularly encounter people affected by cancer, as well as those seeking to consolidate or expand their cancer-related knowledge to enhance the safety, consistency and quality of care they provide.

Across the eight sessions, learners will build a foundational understanding of cancer and its treatment, explore the principles of high-quality cancer nursing, and apply learning through case studies focused on four common cancers. Activities, background information, curated literature and web resources support the application of learning in clinical practice. The programme supports induction, consolidation and ongoing development of cancer-specific skills and can be used as evidence for revalidation, personal development planning and progression along a cancer nursing career pathway.

The Cancer Nursing Careers programme has been developed to address the increasing need for all nurses—regardless of setting—to have confidence and competence when caring for people affected by cancer. As cancer prevalence rises and more care is delivered closer to home, ensuring non-specialist nurses have the right knowledge, skills and communication capabilities is essential to improving experiences and outcomes for patients and families. The eight learning outcomes mirror those of the RCN Career and Education Framework for Cancer Nursing (2017), supporting consistency in cancer education nationally and providing a clear structure for nurses wishing to develop their practice. For further detail on the RCN Framework, learners can access the publication through the Royal College of Nursing website.

The programme aligns with wider NHS ambitions to deliver more personalised, integrated and community-based cancer care, supporting earlier recognition of need, improved patient experience and strengthened multidisciplinary working. Further information and supporting resources can be found in the catalogue’s resources section on the NHS Learning Hub.