Nurse secures scholarship to study sensitive subject

Nurse secures scholarship to study sensitive subject BENDIGO Health cancer nurse Lisa Carson has been awarded a $1000 MooGoo Cancer Nursing Early Career Scholarship to help her undertake postgraduate studies in sexology. Carson, who is also a McGrath Foundation Cancer Care Nurse, said she was motivated to gain qualifications in the somewhat taboo topic because painful sex, body image and intimacy issues are common after cancer, yet rarely discussed. “These conversations should become routine, not avoided,” she said. Carson was one of eight nurses from around Australia to share in $34,000 as part of the latest round of the scholarship program. Announcing the recipients at the recent Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) annual congress in Perth, cancer survivor Melissa Lewis said the funding helps remove financial barriers to specialist training and ensures more Australians have access to the expert cancer care they need. “Cancer nurses are often the only constant in a patient’s care,” she said. “They coordinate treatment, managing symptoms, supporting families and helping Australians navigate the toughest moments of their lives – yet the workforce is under enormous pressure.” Australia is, in fact, facing a cancer care workforce crisis, with new research finding that almost 60 per cent of oncology nurses are expected to leave the profession within the next decade as cancer cases continue to rise. The research also found that almost 90 per cent of Australian oncology nurses report high workloads, while globally, patients are projected to outstrip workers by literally millions by 2050. CNSA CEO Jemma Still agreed that the scholarships and investing in specialist cancer nursing education is critical to the future of cancer care. “The future of cancer care depends on having a skilled, supported and sustainable nursing workforce,” she said. “These scholarships help nurses build expertise, advance their careers and ultimately improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.”