Think Pink Nurse Scholarships

Think pink for breast cancer patientsThe Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) has received funding from the Think Pink Committee to support the further education and training of nurses that provide care to women with breast cancer.

The scholarships will be awarded to nurses working in Victoria who complete the unit of study Breast Cancer Disease Entity in Nursing Practice - a distance learning program conducted by the CCV in conjunction with Latrobe University. 

Introduction

Background to the scheme

Eligibility criteria for the scholarship scheme

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in Victorian women. In 2003, 2868 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. In the same year 721 Victorian women died from this disease. One in 11 women and less than one in
1000 men will develop breast cancer during their lifetime (to age 75).

There is considerable evidence that women with breast cancer have unmet needs for information and support. The Breast Care Nurse (BCN) role has developed to improve the care of women with breast cancer and BCNs are now seen to be a vital component of the multidisciplinary team. The BCN works collaboratively with the treatment team to ensure women are "fully informed, to coordinate care, to offer counseling and support, to facilitate liaison with and referral to other health professionals, and to act as a resource for other members of the treatment team" (NBCCs Specialist Breast Nurse Project Team, 2003, p.91).

To meet the complex needs of women with breast cancer it is recognised that generalist nurses need further education of breast cancer and its management to prepare them for this specialist area of practice. Despite the evidence of benefit of the BCN role to women with breast cancer there are many health services in Victoria that do not have a BCN to assist in the care of women with breast cancer. To assist to fill this gap in service the Think Pink Committee has raised funds to enable more nurses in Victoria to become educationally prepared to undertake this role.

Background to the scheme

The Think Pink Ball was established in 1996 and has grown to be the highest profile evening held on behalf of the CCV. The Think Pink Committee is a team of dedicated volunteers whose objective is to improve the lives of those touched by breast cancer through the funding of various patient support services provided by the CCV.

In recent years the ball has raised over $100,000 annually. Through the Cancer Information and Support Service (CISS) division of the CCV, the money raised at Think Pink has helped breast cancer patients in such ways as providing sponsorship of BCNs and workshops on sexuality for nurses to be able to counsel women with breast cancer, and providing financial assistance directly to women with breast cancer.

The CISS division of TCCV has been awarded funding by the Think Pink Committee to assist in providing ‘partial' scholarships ($1200 per applicant) for nurses working in Victoria to enhance their knowledge and skills in relation to
breast cancer care. This will be achieved by supporting Victorian nurses to undertake the Breast Cancer Distance Learning Program conducted by the CCV in conjunction with Latrobe University.

The aim of this distance education unit "Breast Cancer Disease Entity in Nursing Practice" is for the student to explore nursing practice as it relates to breast cancer. At completion of this unit, the student will obtain a broad knowledge base of breast cancer along the continuum of genesis to death. This will be achieved through examining the pathophysiology and management of breast cancer, exploring grief and loss issues, communication strategies and sexuality as it relates to women with breast cancer.

It is important to note that students who are successful in receiving a scholarship will need to "pay full unit fees upfront" and will be reimbursed for the partial scholarship amount of $1200 on successful completion of this unit of
study. 

Eligibility criteria for the scholarship scheme

Eligible applicants will be currently employed as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) in Victoria and applications should include:

  • completed Think Pink nurses scholarship application form.
  • written evidence of support from their employer stating their willingness to support the application
  • demonstrated evidence of providing care to women with breast cancer within their current employment.
  • A description of their learning objectives and how the proposed program will meet their stated objectives should also be included (i.e. benefit to clinical practice).
  • A declaration that the applicant has no other source of financial assistance.

Scholarships will only be awarded on successful completion of the unit. The unit must be completed within 2 months of final assessment dates (i.e.for exceptional circumstances)

Closing dates for semester 2 applications: 21 July 2008

Attachments to application letter/form:

  • Referee/s
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Employee support letter


Applicants need to complete the application form below and mail the original documents to:
Ms Riki Long, Nurse Educator
The Cancer Council Victoria
1 Rathdowne Street, Carlton Vic. 3053
Tel: 03 9635 5244
Fax: 03 9635 5290
Email: bcndlp@cancervic.org.au

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Updated: 29 Sep, 2008