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. 2024 Aug;39(4):426-436.
doi: 10.1007/s13187-024-02424-x. Epub 2024 Apr 9.

An Innovation in Cancer Nursing Education Across Europe: A Pilot Evaluation

Wendy McInally  1 , Vanessa Taylor  2 , Celia Diez de Los Rios de la Serna  3 , Virpi Sulosaari  4 , Eugenia Trigoso  5 , Sara Margarida Rodrigues Gomes  6 , Ana Rita Cesario Dias  7 , Silvija Piskorjanac  8 , Mary Anne Tanay  9 , Halldóra Hálfdánardóttir  10 , Maura Dowling  11
Affiliations

An Innovation in Cancer Nursing Education Across Europe: A Pilot Evaluation

Wendy McInally et al. J Cancer Educ. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) is a pan-European not for profit society involving approximately 28,000 cancer nurses from 32 countries in the region. The European College of Cancer Nursing (ECCN) exists under the umbrella of EONS and was established in 2020 with a strategic priority to develop, promote and deliver educational opportunities for nurses across Europe. ECCN introduced a pilot on-line education programme for 20 nurses in January 2023. This study evaluated participating nurses' views and experience of learning on the pilot programme. The study adopted a mixed method approach guided by the four levels of the Kirkpatrick theoretical framework. A dominant focus on qualitative data was used with supplementary quantitative data. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) was followed. Eleven nurses completed the pre-pilot online questionnaire (response rate 65%) and seven (n = 7) completed the post-pilot questionnaire (41% response rate). Five (n = 5) nurses participated in two focus group interviews. Data analysis resulted in the development of four overarching themes: A wider world of cancer nursing; Shapeless mentorship; Impact on Practice; Learning online and what now? On commencement of online education programmes, nurses value a structured timetable and support from nursing management to maximise engagement with the learning materials.

Keywords: Cancer nursing; Nursing education; Oncology nursing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

References

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