This presentation explains the development of a postgraduate pathway for registered nurses at the Waikato Institute of Technology. This breast care nursing module provides the area of practice focus for nurses who seek to develop their practice within postgraduate level study. We explain how this paper was developed in collaboration with Breast Screen Aotearoa and was shaped using the policy guidelines for breast screening services. The module also reflects a partnership between the Waikato District Health Board and Waikato Institute of Technology in developing a programme of learning to fit the New Zealand context for breast care nurses’ practice.
Our approach to learning in this area of practice enables registered nurses to advance their knowledge and skills to meet the health care needs of clients using breast care services. We assist participants to explore nursing roles and relationships within interdisciplinary breast care services, and develop strategies to advance nursing knowledge and therapeutic skills for a holistic approach to women’s health. An important element of our teaching approach is to focus learning activities across the whole spectrum of population health needs and service delivery, including primary care, diagnostic approaches in breast disorders, breast surgery, oncology, and radiotherapy. We also explore strength-based strategies in caring for clients who are experiencing life threatening illness.
It is now mandatory for nurses working in breast screening services to undertake postgraduate education, in the form of a New Zealand Nursing Council approved 30 credit level 8 paper. This presentation explains how learning in the breast care module can be used as a means to scaffold practice development through the postgraduate and Master of Nursing programmes.