The Department of Health Has Launched a Cancer Nursing Clinical
Career Pathway for Northern Ireland, Marking a Significant Step
in Strengthening the Region's Cancer Nursing Workforce.
This Pathway Establishes a Clear and Regionally Consistent
Framework for Career Progression and Professional Development for
the Cancer Nursing Workforce. By Promoting High Standards of
Practice and Equipping the Workforce with the Specialist Skills
Required to Deliver Safe, Effective, and Person-centred Care, the
Initiative Seeks to Improve the Overall Experience and Outcomes
of People Living with Cancer Across Northern Ireland.
The Pathway, Which Was Launched on World Cancer Day, Provides a
Well-defined, Structured Career Progression Route from Senior
Nursing Assistant Roles Through to Advanced and Consultant-level
Practice.
Health Minister Said: We Cannot
Achieve Meaningful Reform of Our Health & Social Care System
Unless We Focus on Our Workforce, with an Emphasis on Retention,
Career Progression, and Professional Development.
Ensuring Colleagues Feel Valued and Supported
Professionally in Turn Helps Create the Conditions for Them to
Confidently Deliver the High Quality, Evidence-based Care That
Meets the Health Needs of Our Population.
It Is Fitting That This Pathway Is Being Launched on
World Cancer Day As the Role of Nurses, Senior Nursing
Assistants, and Cancer Support Workers Is Fundamental at Every
Stage of the Care Journey for Each Person Diagnosed with
Cancer.
The Development of This Clinical Career Pathway Is
Critical in the Strategic Vision and Transformational Leadership
for Nursing, and Complements The
Career & Development Model for Nursing and
Midwifery Which I Launched in
December.”
The Pathway Was Commissioned by the Department's Chief Nursing
Officer, Professor Maria Mcilgorm, and Produced by the Northern
Ireland Practice & Education Council for Nursing &
Midwifery Nipec). It Is Aligned with the Priorities Contained
Within Prof Mcilgorm's Five-year Vision for Nursing and
Midwifery, By Providing an Agile and Responsive Career
Pathway, Aligned to Levels of Practice, to Support Workforce
Development.
Professor Mcilgorm Said: On This World Cancer Day, I Want to
Recognise Both the Profound Impact of Cancer on Our Society and
the Exceptional Dedication of Our Cancer Nursing Workforce. Every
Day, These Professionals Deliver Expert Clinical Care, Vital
Emotional Support, and Compassionate Guidance to Individuals and
Families in Their Most Vulnerable Moments.
This Pathway Has Been Shaped Through Close Collaboration with
Nursing Leaders, Educators, Clinical Teams, and People Living
with and Beyond Cancer.
This Framework Strengthens Recruitment, Retention, and
Professional Development Across Cancer Services, Ensuring a
Skilled Workforce Who Are Equipped to Deliver Safe,
Person‑centred Care. By Investing in Our Nurses, We Invest in
Better Outcomes and Experiences for Everyone Affected by Cancer.”
Professor Linda Kelly, Nipec Chief Executive, Said: I Would like
to Extend My Appreciation to All Who Have Contributed to the
Development of the Ni Cancer Nursing Clinical Career Pathway.
This Is an Exciting Opportunity for the Profession to Lead the
Way and Make Significant Impact on the Outcomes for Every Person
Affected by Cancer.
This Career Pathway Recognises the Expertise of Cancer Nurses and
Provides a Clear Supportive Framework in Which to Grow, Lead and
Thrive Throughout Their Careers.”
Notes to Editors:
- The Cancer Nursing Clinical Career Pathway Can Be Read in
Full Here And a Video of Prof
Mcilgorm Outlining the Pathway Can Be Viewed Here.
- All Nursing Roles in the Cancer Clinical Career Pathway Are
Supported by a Set of Four Pillars of Practice with Associated
Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours and Education Requirements –
Clinical Practice, Education and Learning, Leadership, Research
and Development.
- The Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland 2022- 2032
Identified a Number of Actions to Improve the Experience of
People Diagnosed with Cancer, with Key Actions Directly Relating
to the Role of the Nurse. Supporting the Realisation of a
Clinical Career Pathway for Nurses, Who Choose to Specialise
Within Cancer, Solid Tumour and Haematological Malignancy, Is
Fundamental to a Recalibration and Reform of Cancer Services and
Sustainability of High-quality Person-centred Care for People
Living with Cancer.
