P36-8 Achievements and challenges in developing the in-house certified nurses for cancer pain management

Abstract

We developed and implemented an educational program to develop in-house certified nurses for cancer pain management (hereinafter referred to as “in-house CNs”) at our hospital, which has two Board-Certified Nurses in Cancer Pain Management Nursing. We used this educational program as an opportunity for mid-level and experienced nurses who play a key role in the organization to attend training in a specialized field and to utilize their individual strengths. To train in-house CNs to acquire expertise and provide high quality pain management nursing, and to provide pain screening to patients as the department's link nurse. Eligible candidates were recommended by directors of their department or were at the Clinical Ladder Level III. Between June 2018 and February 2020, five 90-minute lectures (instructors: nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and orthopedic surgeons) and a written exam; and three case studies based on the Clinical Guidelines for Cancer Pain Management were conducted. All participants passed the exam and nine in-house CNs were developed. Participants were highly satisfied with the content of the training, with comments such as “I learned the importance of conducting assessments from multiple perspectives” and “I began to think about nursing care in pain management.” On the other hand, there was a comment such as “The role required was too large.” The nurses felt burdened by the role of in-house CNs because they had to refer patients with pain to the specialist palliative care team in addition to pain screening. It is hoped that the role of bridging from the department to the palliative care team and resource nurses will be activated in the future. The challenge is to train CNs in departments where CNs are not available, and to create an environment in which CNs can play an active role working with the link nurse of the Palliative Care Directors Meeting, which was established this year.