The Role of the Specialist Nurse in Gynaecological Cancer

Abstract

Purpose of review: To explore the role of the specialist nurse within gynaecological cancer.

Recent findings: There are many different job titles associated with the role of the specialist nurse. Nursing roles are evolving not only to meet the increasing demands on services but also within the ever changing landscape of cancer treatments and improvement in survival. Women and their families need specialist nurses to guide and support them on their cancer journey, along the treatment trajectory and into survivorship. This paper explores specialist nurse roles generally, and within our service which have been adapted to meet service and patient needs within a gynaecological cancer centre. Irrelevant of title, specialist nurses are best suited to meet the patients' needs. The fundamental ethos of the care should always remain having the patients' best interest at heart, acting as their advocate - in essence giving them a voice when they need it.

Keywords: Advance nurse practitioner; Care coordinator; Clinical nurse specialist; Gynae-oncology; Gynaecological cancer; Holistic care; Nurse specialist.