The pertinence of a specialized chemotherapy training

Abstract

Chemotherapy administration is one of the most common practices on the Oncology Units and, as any nursing practice, it requires the existence of a solid knowledge. It is fundamental, to ensure a safe practice, for the nurse to have knowledge and understanding about the chemotherapy drugs, how to administer them, their side effects, the potential risks for himself and for the patient and how to act in case of extravasation. And this is only possible with a previous specialized training and the existence of protocols to support the practice. In some countries, there are specific training programs about the administration of chemotherapy, which combine the theory with the clinical practice in the Oncology units. This training is applied to all the nursing team and it is mandatory for the new elements working on the wards. As an example, it will be presented an instrument of evaluation integrated on a training programme about administration of chemotherapy, used by one of the Oncology hospitals in the United Kingdom. More than just an evaluation method, this instrument shows the progressive development of the acquired competencies of the nurses that work on Oncology Units. It also promotes a closer proximity between a more experienced nurse and the new nurse on the ward, making his induction easier in Oncology. This article aims to promote a reflection about the chemotherapy specialized training on the Oncology Units.