Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing

Course overview

Studying breast cancer nursing with ACN will provide you with the principles of breast cancer nursing in order to improve your knowledge and skills for the provision and coordination of evidenced based breast cancer care. The aim is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of clinical practice development for the improvement of patient outcomes. Our course is written by specialist nurses for nurses, and students are supported by a team of clinical experts, working within the speciality. Our electives allow students to further explore a specific area of interest related to breast cancer nursing.

The course aligns with the Specialist Breast Nurse Competency Standards and associated educational requirements (NBCC, 2005) and the National Educational Framework for Cancer Nurses (EdCaN, 2009). It responds to industry requirements by preparing graduates for specialist breast cancer nursing roles within the wide scope of breast cancer care.

Through critical analysis and reflection students are given the opportunity to evaluate their clinical and educational requirements to promote professional development for Specialist Breast Cancer Nursing care and lifelong learning. The course also supports development in clinical leadership roles such as clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse consultants or breast cancer nurse coordinators. The course focus includes the continuum of breast cancer care, evidence based practice, future trends and the impact of breast cancer on individuals, their families and communities.

ACN has proudly been providing education to McGrath Foundation nurses since 2013.

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to develop an understanding of breast cancer nursing with a strong clinical focus. It enables students to:

• apply specialist knowledge of breast cancer that informs evidence-based nursing practice for the provision and coordination of holistic care
• critically evaluate nursing practice against research and current literature to support the provision of contemporary evidence-based care across the survivorship trajectory
• develop advanced communication skills to establish therapeutic relationships with people diagnosed with breast cancer, their families and other members of the multidisciplinary team
• demonstrate leadership, mentoring and educational skills that contribute to a high standard of nursing care and practice development in the health care setting
• critically reflect on the cultural, social and ethical issues to provide safe, holistic and person-driven care.

Career outcomes

A Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing is an investment in your future and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure better outcomes for your patients and progress your career, leading to opportunities in clinical education, management and specialist nursing roles.

Course Structure

The Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms. Students will need to complete 4 units – 3 core and 1 elective. One unit is studied per term. Approximate hours of study are 12 – 15 hours per week.