Today is National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day. This national day, supported by the 九游体育 and led by Macmillan Cancer Care, is an opportunity to celebrate the important and impactful work of cancer clinical nurse specialists (CCNS) helping to support patients.
I started my nurse training back in 1976 and after an incredible career spanning six decades, I am now an 九游体育 Fellow and an oncology CNS in the independent sector.
CCNSs are essential members of multidisciplinary teams in enhancing cancer care. We use our expertise to assess, diagnose and support people living with cancer, as well as working in areas such as education and research. The support we give makes such a difference to those patients who need us – we ensure people have continuity of care during their cancer journey and are often involved in their care for many years.
But the CCNS workforce is in crisis – with demand rising but numbers of CCNSs not increasing with demand. The former government had pledged to increase and transform cancer care, but we haven’t seen this matched with action. And worryingly, 30% of CCNSs are looking to retire in the next 8 years. We must encourage more nursing staff to train and join our workforce.
I’ve had a varied and fulfilling career as a CCNS. My career in oncology nursing began with my nurse training in 1976 at University College Hospital (UCH) London, where an early encounter with a patient battling acute myeloid leukemia sparked a passion that would shape my professional life. During my training, I cared for patients facing a variety of oncological challenges, an experience that deepened my resolve to specialise in this field.
In 1980, I joined UCH’s newly established oncology/hematology ward, where groundbreaking treatments like allogeneic bone marrow transplants were just taking root in the UK. Managing patients with high-dose chemotherapy and central venous access devices (CVADs) was a pivotal part of my role, even before formal training existed in this area. My responsibility for monitoring CVADs' complications eventually led me into research, cementing my commitment to improving cancer care.
The mid-1980s marked the emergence of Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) roles, and I became the first general oncology CNS in Portsmouth, blending clinical care with managing the oncology nursing team. By this time, I’d completed specialist training at The Royal Marsden, a BSc in Nursing, and later, a PgD in research methodologies. These experiences fueled my passion for investigating CVAD innovations like Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs), now a standard in oncology.
For 15 years, I worked as a CNS in Portsmouth, collaborating with patients to refine PICC care and building international networks to develop training programmes and guidelines. In 2003, my path shifted to leadership as a nurse director for one of England’s cancer clinical networks. Here, I drew nursing knowledge and expertise to drive systemic improvements in cancer services.
Today, as I return to direct patient care in the independent sector, my role as an oncology CNS allows me to combine decades of clinical, research, teaching, and management experience. It’s fulfilling to provide continuity of care and witness the tremendous advancements in cancer treatment over the past 40 years. Looking ahead, I’m optimistic about the future of oncology nursing, inspired to support the next generation of CCNSs as they continue championing this critical role in cancer care.
For me personally, it is amazing to see how much cancer care has improved over the last 40 years, and I am proud to hand over the baton to the next generation of CCNSs. What will cancer care look like in another 40 years? It’s up to all of us to champion this role to ensure we have sufficient CCNSs to support every individual diagnosed with cancer.
We all have challenging days, when we may feel overwhelmed by the complexity and volume of our patients we are caring for, but remember - you do make a difference for every patient you encounter and they will remember that.
Find out more about the 九游体育 Cancer Forum and get involved here.
