Background
In 2021 I began teaching cancer nursing remotely via ZOOM for a few nurses in Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN) in preparation for their new Cancer Centre. I expected that the education would continue for a period of time and once the Centre opened others would take over. Three years later the Cancer Centre is not open, and weekly tutorials are still provided on cancer nursing, not only to those original RNs, but to many interested nurses across Papua New Guinea (PNG) in lieu of any other cancer education.
Aim
This paper reflects on issues affecting the recognition of cancer nursing as a specialty in PNG.
Reflections on Remote Teaching
Network instability, the didactic nature of ZOOM presentations, and poor feedback from shy nurses, made evaluation of the tutorials difficult. Understanding comprehension levels was initially a challenge. Nurses had limited access to internet, no textbooks, and were unused to structured cancer education; most in the Provinces still use their mobiles and own data for tutorials. A positive intervention was the creation of the PNG Oncology Nurses Association, providing a voice about cancer issues for the first time.
Reflection on Future Directions
In 2021 my initial communication was with clinical oncologists; thereafter I included the Director of Nursing of POMGEN in communications, as nursing needs were barely considered in the new Cancer Centre. Many nurses in PNG work with cancer patients, and some nurses administer chemotherapy with limited education. Most cancer patients present with advanced disease due to fear, sociocultural/financial issues, including the cost of travel to treatment. There is no Chief Nursing Office in the Department of Health, creating challenges in obtaining recognition of cancer nursing as a specialty. Important for future sustainability will be the introduction of a post-basic Bachelor of Oncology Nursing course through the University sector.