Breast cancer workshop for nurses: innovative approach to staff development

Breast cancer is a major health problem today. Mastectomy and adjuvant therapy are standard treatments available in most acute care hospitals. Nurses who care for mastectomy patients have primary responsibility for patient education. This article describes use of a breast cancer workshop to strengthen teaching capabilities of staff nurses. The workshop addresses facts regarding breast cancer and the educational needs of breast cancer patients. It also provides opportunity for nurses to develop patient education standards for patients who have had a mastectomy.