Today we celebrate all our Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS’s).
At North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust we have around 40 CNS’s, each providing skilled, personalised care, and improving the experience of both cancer patients and the wide range of colleagues they work with.
Kiyla Murray is the lead cancer nurse at the Trust, she said:
"It is important that we recognise the complexity and skilled nature of the Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist role. The role of the cancer nurse has evolved over time as survival rates have improved. The cancer nurse specialist provides essential support to people affected by cancer who have been left with devastating news of a cancer diagnosis, they are so important for the delivery of care for people affected by cancer and living with cancer.”
Some of our CNSs have explained why they enjoys their job:
Sophie Johnston is a Colorectal CNS she said:
“As a CNS I am privileged to be part of a patient’s most vulnerable time. I feel that I can really make a difference by giving patients the time that they need so that I can provide great quality care.“
Gayle Norman is our Acute Oncology Service Team Lead CNS, she said:
“I love my role as an Acute Oncology CNS as it is fast paced, every day is different. We provide care and support for oncology patients who are unwell, collaborating with other clinical teams to ensure our patients are assessed and cared for as quickly as safely as possible while also supporting the wider family circle.”
Julia Forsyth Breast CNS said:
“I love my role as a CNS in breast as I really enjoy having a close relationship with each patient, providing the necessary support and individualised care that each person needs. I also make sure their treatment pathway runs in a timely and effective manner. Although a busy and demanding role, it is rewarding how the service provided by the breast CNS team can help patient outcomes in their cancer journey.”
Kim Robinson Lung CNS added:
“I have worked as a CNS for over 20 years and love how the role is constantly evolving. It is an absolute privilege to look after and support patients in this role.”
On average, someone is diagnosed with cancer every 90 seconds in England and they seek the expert support of this profession. Cancer nursing is about much more than palliative care, with a greater range of complex treatments available to patients than ever before.
The UK government has pledged to expand the cancer workforce, and as more people are diagnosed with cancer the need for these specialist nursing roles is increasing.
If you are interested in a career as a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist you can contact our lead cancer nurse on email: Kiyla.murray@ncic.nhs.uk