2011 Dates To Be Announced

Thank you for expressing an interest in the training courses conducted by GPS (Global Physics Solutions) formally ARC (Advanced Radiotherapy Consulting). Among the numerous GPS courses, there is one especially for oncology nurses who desire more knowledge in radiation oncology. Practical Radiation Oncology Nursing Education ( PRONE) is a two-day course that provides principles of radiotherapy and applies this knowledge to patient care. The outlines are subject to change to stay abreast of evolving technology and evidence-based management strategies. Located on the GPS website, under this nursing tab, you will find the registration form and course.

The technical field of radiation oncology has dramatically changed over the last five to ten years with the assimilation of computer technology, necessitating changes in patient management. The GPS PRONE course:

• Incorporates techniques on imaging, simulation, immobilization, treatment planning in language that is easy to understand from a nursing perspective
• Describes dose distribution with diagrams of dose volume histograms.
• Demonstrates the method for plan evaluation that dosimetrists, physicists and radiation oncologists perform for every treatment plan
• Connects the latest technology with the nursing assessment and management in everyday clinical practice.
• Highlights the rationale for developing many symptoms and management strategies.
• Taught by nationally recognized radiation oncology nurse practitioners as well as experienced medical physicists and dosimetrists.

Today, the demands on the radiation oncology nurses are ever increasing in daily practices. Radiation oncology nurses experience diverse patients and treatment plans which require specialized nursing care. The managed healthcare environment is creating more restrictions on adequate staffing levels which in turn produce greater difficulty for radiation oncology nurses to find time and resources for training in the radiation oncology discipline. We, at GPS, believe that radiation oncology nursing has not grown to its potential as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team, because of the lack of formal training. There are few, if any, courses available that provide the fundamentals of radiation therapy principles and treatment planning and simulation, supported with clinical examples that are easily understood to connect the technical component with the nursing care. Radiation oncology patients often encounter radiation oncology nurses as their first contact with the treatment process, thereby looking towards nurses as an informational resource. We want to empower oncology nurses to confidently communicate with patients, caregivers and the technical professionals in the radiation oncology department.

If you have more questions about the program, please do not hesitate to call GPS today. We look forward to working with you.

PRONE NURSING OBJECTIVE:

"To educate Radiation Oncology Nurses on treatment planning, individualized patient assessment and nursing care"

• Provides attendees a broad knowledge base of radiation oncology that will serve as a basis for critical thinking within the context of radiation oncology.
• Provides necessary background on physics and treatment planning to enhance understanding of radiation biology
• Offers strategies to provide high quality care to patients in this dynamic, technological field of medicine
• Focuses on techniques to enhance the nursing role in the radiation oncology setting

PRONE NURSING COURSE OUTLINE: (subject to change based on class needs and time allowed)

Day 1
Introduction Role of Radiation Oncology Nurse
Basic Radiation Oncology Definitions
Cancer Pathophysiology and Terminology
Clinical Radiation Oncology Pathophysiology
Radiobiology

Lunch

General Symptom Management
Skin Management
Male Pelvis Treatment and Management

Day 2
Brain and Central Nervous System Treatment and Management
Head and Neck Treatment and Management
Breast Treatment and Management
Thoracic Treatment and Management

Lunch

GI/Abdominal Treatment and Management
Bladder Treatment and Management
Female Pelvis Treatment and Management
Special Procedures (If time allows)
Emerging Technologies (If time allows)
Closing/ Thank you's

COURSE CLASS SIZE

Minimum: 10 Students
Maximum: 30 Students
If minimum number of students is not met, the course will be cancelled. Students that were scheduled will be notified and rescheduled for the next course date.

FEES

Radiation Oncology Nurse Course

Cost: Early Bird (30 day advance)
$485

General:
$750

Registration Fee Due: With Registration Form

Fee Includes: Two-day Course and Course Materials, Radiation Oncology Nursing Bulletin Board and webpage. A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is required to reserve a seat. Remaining balance of fee is due 10 days prior to the course dates unless prior arrangements have been made with ARC/GPS administration.

Checks can be made payable to Global Physics Solutions.
Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover are accepted.

 

This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Oncology Nursing Society, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.