Knowledge needs of nurse practitioners new to oncology care.

Abstract

e16532 Background: There is growing evidence that the nation is facing a shortage of providers needed to provide high quality cancer care. Nurse practitioners are increasingly utilized as cancer care providers with no standardized oncology curriculum at practice entry. The purpose of this study was to: 1) Identify the knowledge needs of the Oncology Nurse Practitioner (ONP) on entry to to cancer care; 2) Identify the educational resources used to fill knowledge needs; 3) Describe the impact of ONP knowledge needs on patient care outcomes. Methods: Cross sectional, descriptive study of thirty item electronic survey to assess knowledge needs at entry into and through the first year of practice for ONPs. The questionnaire was randomly distributed (June 21, 2009 through July 27, 2009) via electronic survey to 610 self-described oncology nurse practitioners in the Oncology Nursing Society's data base. Results were tabulated and analyzed in SPSS, V. 14 according to descriptive and correlational statistics. Learning gaps at entry to oncology NP practice were identified and ranked one (not at all prepared) to four (very prepared). Results: One hundred and four (104/607, 17%) ONPs responded. Respondents came to cancer care practice with mean 12.7 years nursing experience. In first year of practice, 90% of ONP's rated themselves as “prepared” or “very prepared” in obtaining patient history, performing physical exam and documenting findings. ONP's rated themselves as “not at all or only “somewhat” prepared” in clinical issues of chemotherapy/biotherapy competency (n = 81, 77.9%); recognizing and managing oncologic emergencies, (n = 77, 70.2%); and recognition and management of drug toxicities, (n = 63, 60.6%). The Primary source of oncology education for ONP's new to practice was almost exclusively collaborating/supervising physician (n = 84, 80.8%). No poor patient outcomes were reported as a result of knowledge deficits. Conclusions: Although highly experienced nurses, ONPs are entering oncology practice adequately prepared as nurse practitioners, but without essential cancer care knowledge. These results hold implication for collaborating physicians, schools of nursing and for continuing education offerings. No significant financial relationships to disclose.