Development of standards of care for Canadian cellular therapy nurses

Cellular therapy nursing is a rapidly expanding specialty, driven by multiple recent advancements in cellular and immunotherapy technologies. While the Foundation for Accreditation for Cellular Therapy (FACT) has established standards outlining education expectations for nurses working in this complex field, a review of the current literature identified a notable absence in the development and implementation of comprehensive, evidence-based Canadian nursing standards specific to cellular therapy. This gap highlights the need for further development of standardized competencies that support nurses in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care within this complex therapeutic landscape. To address this identified gap, the Cell Therapy Transplant Canada (CTTC) Nursing Committee partnered with the Canadian Association for Nurses in Oncology/Association canadienne des infirmières en oncologie (CANO/ACIO) to develop national standards for cellular therapy nursing, adapted from the CANO/ACIO Practice Standards and Competencies for the Specialized Oncology Nurse. This approach ensures consistency with existing oncology nursing principles while addressing the distinct complexities of cellular therapy practice. The Cellular Therapy Nurse Standards (CTTC, 2025) provide an educational and clinical framework to support nurses working in this specialized field. These standards promote national consistency in cellular therapy nursing, through the standardization of competencies, and foster a community of excellence in the field of cellular therapy nursing. To support the implementation of these standards, two companion resources were created: a cellular therapy learning needs assessment tool and a structured learning pathway. These resources inform the development of personal learning plans, institutional programs, and educational curriculum specific to cellular therapy nursing.