Using Leadership and Advocacy to Improve Cancer Pain Management - Based on a Presentation at the Cancer Pain, Suffering and Spirituality Course

Abstract

Being a leader is not dependent on a title and, in fact, every oncology nurse is a clinical leader. Building onskills in caring for patients, oncology clinicians and nurses use their knowledge and skills to: advocate forpatients; initiate performance improvement projects; develop new services for patients and families; ensurequality and safety of care; influence health policy. Because of oncology clinicians and nurses’ closeness topatients and families in all settings, they know where the barriers to excellence are in organizations. This sessionwill provide an overview of leadership skills and how nurses in particular can use their expertise as clinicians toimprove the care delivery in their organizations and communities.