Development of an advance care planning educational resource for oncology nurses

Background: Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of reflection and communication in which capable individuals make informed decisions about their future healthcare and end-of-life care in the event they are unable to provide informed consent. ACP decreases unnecessary medical interventions and reduces uncertainty among healthcare providers and loved ones during critical moments of care. Despite benefits, participation in ACP remains low in cancer care. Oncology nurses are well-positioned to lead ACP discussions but have limited awareness of ACP and skills to navigate ACP discussions. Purpose: To develop an educational resource to increase ACP competency for oncology nurses. Methods: An integrative literature review, consultation with key stakeholders, and an environmental scan guided the development of an ACP educational resource for oncology nurses. Results: The literature findings captured the complexities of ACP and offer evidence-based recommendations for enhancing ACP engagement. Consultations with oncology nurses highlighted local educational needs, while the environmental scan identified broader ACP-related learning requirements needed to enhance nurses’ communication skills and confidence when navigating ACP conversations. Conclusion: An ACP educational resource for oncology nurses will ultimately improve competency and lay the foundation for increasing ACP engagement.