ICCN 2022 | The evolving role of the cancer nurse in the midst of a global pandemic

Patsy Yates, AM, PhD, RN, FACN, FAAN, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, describes some of the key challenges that oncology nurses have faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and how their role has had to evolve in this time. She explains the importance of providing high-quality education and support to patients with cancer that are already vulnerable and at a potentially greater risk of exposure to COVID-19. Additional challenges include the reluctance for patients to attend screenings and regular health checks, although the implementation of telehealth services has allowed the move toward more virtual care models. This interview took place at the virtual 2022 International Conference on Cancer Nursing (ICCN).