Renal Cancer Nurse Training Programme in conjunction with cancernursing.org

A new, online, modular training programme for nurses and healthcare professionals with an interest in the care and treatment of kidney cancer patients.

The James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer is committed to help raise awareness of renal cancer and the need for better and faster diagnosis and treatment. As part of our direct commitment to increasing knowledge and awareness among healthcare professionals, we have developed a university accredited training programme for nurses with a special interest in the care and treatment of patients with the disease.

The programme has been developed by Clinical Nurse Specialists with a number of years experience caring for kidney cancer patients.

Learning is accomplished through online testing, case scenarios and optional research activities.

This comprehensive programme includes the following modules;

1. Anatomy, pathophysiology, aetiology and epidemiology;
2. Renal cancer staging and diagnosis;
3. Renal cancer surgery;
4. Drug treatment for renal cancer;
5. Palliative care of renal cancer patients;
6. Information and support;
7. Case scenario;
8. The future of renal cancer;
9. Conclusion.

At the end of the programme, course learners will be able to;

• Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of the kidneys;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the aetiology and epidemiology of renal cancer;
• Demonstrate an awareness of the impact the disease and its treatment have on patients and their families, including physical, psychological and socio-economic factors;
• Discuss how a diagnosis is made and how the cancer is then staged;
• Describe the currently available treatment options, including the impact these treatments may have on a patient’s life;
• Be aware of the potential side-effects of these treatments and how they should be managed;
• Plan the care of a patient with renal cancer using an holistic approach.

In general, there is poor continuity of care and follow-up for kidney cancer patients in the NHS, and this is very dependent upon the hospital at which they attend. It is anticipated that the programme will address these issues and will be beneficial, not only for nurses with an interest in renal cancer, but also for ward sisters and nurses in other departments to ensure continuity of care for renal cancer patients.

The James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer Nurse Training Programme is going live in September 2010. To enrol on the programme, please visit www.cancernursing.org. There is no enrollment fee for nurses and healthcare professionals. The James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer also offers discretionary burseries for nurses and healthcare professionals. To apply, please contact the fund at info@jameswhalefund.org.