Patient Experience
23 March, 2022
Please tell us about yourself and your role as ANP, Survivorship?
My role as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner(ANP) in Cancer Survivorship within St James’s Hospital (SJH) involves providing a nurse-led service to patients with Lymphoma, Breast and Testicular cancers following the completion of their treatment in dedicated cancer survivorship clinics. I act as the dedicated key contact linking and signposting patients to services, resources and supports at different stages along the survivorship trajectory targeted to each patients’ individual needs. Cancer is a catastrophic event in people’s lives and coming out the end of their treatment can be very daunting. Most patients experience feelings of uncertainty, fear and some experience lingering side effects from therapy. Providing information, encouragement and support to cancer survivors and their families is a key part of my role with self-management and empowerment a central focus. Promoting health and wellbeing are vital to living with and beyond cancer.
How long have you been in this role?
I started in this role in July 2017. The launch of the National Cancer Strategy 2017 – 2026 highlighted the need to develop and promote survivorship care pathways for patients in Ireland and through funding from the NCCP my role was established. Having completed my Masters in Clinical Practice in UCD in 2010 I spent the first year in this role furthering my studies to complete the Advanced Practice Certificate in UCD and working closely with my clinical mentor, Dr Cliona Grant, to gain the advanced clinical skills needed for the role.
How have you prepared to do this role?
I have been an Oncology nurse for over 25 years with my main experience working with patients receiving chemotherapy. I have held a number of nursing roles during my 20 years in SJH and as much as I enjoyed the managerial positions my heart has always been in the clinical arena. SJH has given me many fantastic opportunities and two in particular, I feel, have certainly guided me to where I am today. In 2002 I spent 3 months in the National Cancer Institute in Washington DC which opened my eyes to all the amazing cancer research being carried out both from a medical and nursing perspective. In 2012 a secondment to Memorial Sloane Kettering in New York was the beginning of my keen interest in cancer survivorship. Seeing first-hand the impact of dedicated survivorship clinics and self-management programmes for patients contributed to my drive to create a cancer survivorship service in SJH.
What are some of the challenges you face in this role?
Setting up a new service has many challenges from both a clinical and operational perspective. The expansion of my clinical knowledge and expertise as an ANP was demanding while navigating the technicalities of setting up a new clinic. The support and guidance from my clerical, medical and nursing colleagues were paramount to my success. Being a member of the NCCP Cancer Survivorship steering committee and my relationship with the Irish Cancer Society(ICS) ensured the service developed to address the needs of my cancer survivors as outlined in the NCCP Cancer Survivorship National Needs Assessment published in 2019.
What are some of the successes you’ve seen in this role?
The cancer survivorship programme requires a multidisciplinary approach. It is my responsibility to assess patients’ needs at different stages along the survivorship trajectory and link them with appropriate services and resources to promote health and wellbeing. This requires the involvement of many disciplines including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psycho-oncology. In SJH we have a number of programmes available for cancer survivors including exercise, fatigue management, social prescribing and self-management (OPTIMAL). We are currently designing workshops for managing health anxiety and fear of recurrence. From a national point I have had the privilege of being involved in the development of the LACES programme (Life After Cancer – Enhancing Survivorship) a joint initiative between the NCCP and the ICS which is currently being offered to all patients following the completion of their treatment. I have also contributed to patient information literature with the NCCP on bone health after cancer. From a research perspective there are a number of projects I am currently involved on.
What is your greatest skill as a nurse that helps you in this role?
I think as a nurse there are traits that are inherent in you that draw you into the profession- empathy, kindness, compassion; but overall I think the skill of effective communication is key. This is not just limited to the relationship with patients and families. ANPs are leaders in the profession and key change agents in driving clinical excellence. From dealing with patient’s anxiety to developing a quality cancer survivorship service, good communication skills are vital in this role.