An innovative curriculum plan for advanced practice in oncology nursing.
BACKGROUND: The Advanced Practice in Oncology Nursing Program was designed to prepare graduates to manage the cancer experience through the delivery of comprehensive, holistic, oncology-focused care to individuals, families, and communities in a variety of settings. METHODS: Theoretical course work and clinical practicum are required to complete the degree plan. Students are actively recruited from urban, rural, and underserved population settings. The program is committed to fostering a teaching-learning paradigm that facilitates self-directed learning. The program's basic tenet is that all course offerings will be designed in a distributed learning/distance learning method. Clinical experiences are accomplished in or near the student's home community. RESULTS: Development and implementation of the program are in process. Shaping a curriculum and learning environment to be consonant with a health care system in a constant state of reform flux is a challenging task. CONCLUSION: This program's long-term challenge is to remain flexible, collaborative, and futuristic while promoting the expansion of advanced practice in oncology nursing.