Using Oncology Nursing Society Cancer Chemotherapy Guidelines as a basis for continuing education in rural hospitals.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe a workshop developed to teach nurses caring for patients with cancer in a southern, rural area how to administer chemotherapy in an inpatient or homecare setting.

DATA SOURCES

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Cancer Chemotherapy Guidelines and published articles and books.

DATA SYNTHESIS

An oncology clinical nurse specialist teaching at a local university developed and presented 10 hours of didactic content and a 6-hour clinical practicum. The workshop was conducted in association with a community hospital, which offered oncology care to patients with cancer in the community.

CONCLUSIONS

All nurses who successfully completed the workshop demonstrated improved ability in caring for patients with cancer and in administering chemotherapy. The ONS Cancer Chemotherapy Guidelines provided an excellent outline for the development of an initial course on the science of chemotherapy and management of related symptoms.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Many nurses work in rural areas where they are expected to provide competent nursing care to a variety of specialized patient populations, yet they have limited access to educational opportunities. A workshop format is feasible and can provide the education necessary for nurses who care for patients with cancer.