de Souza Nurse Designation
A de Souza Nurse designation is an official recognition of advanced oncology nursing knowledge and skills. Ontario nurses can achieve a de Souza Nurse designation by completing educational and clinical requirements set out by the Institute.
There are four types of de Souza Nurse designations that nurses can work towards, depending on their education level and area of practice; de Souza Nurse Associate, de Souza Nurse, de Souza APN and de Souza Nurse Scholar.
Benefits of achieving de Souza Nurse designation
Achieving a de Souza Nurse designation is a personal and professional challenge. A de Souza Nurse is a highly regarded healthcare professional with advanced oncology knowledge and skills. A de Souza Nurse designation is a way to receive recognition for your educational and professional practice accomplishments at no cost to you.
Benefits associated with designation include:
- Official recognition for advanced oncology knowledge and skills
- Build evidence-based practice
- Expand skills and knowledge
- Enhance your resume
- Become a highly regarded healthcare professional
- Achievements can be recorded on annual CNO learning plan
- Provincially recognized
- All courses are offered at no cost
de Souza Nurse Associate
The de Souza Nurse Associate designation is designed for Ontario Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) who are not specialized in oncology, but care for, or encounter patients living with cancer in their practice. A de Souza Nurse Associate could also work in the community, in cancer prevention, or health promotion. This designation is designed to recognize nurses working in a variety of areas who have enhanced their oncology knowledge and skills.
de Souza Nurse Associates can be:
- RPNs or RNs working in areas such as:
- Public Health or Community Agency
- Emergency
- Medical surgery
- Any in-patient unit that cares for cancer patients
de Souza Nurse Associate requirements:
- Must take one course offering from each of the four domains
- Complete a clinical/mentorship placement approved by de Souza Institute
Recommended courses for de Souza Nurse Associate designation:
1. Treatment and Delivery of Evidence Based Care
2. Therapeutic and Supportive Relationships
3. Developing Professional Practice and Leadership:
4. Patient Teaching and Coaching:
* Course can only count towards one domain
de Souza Nurse
The de Souza Nurse stream is aimed at Registered Nurses who are currently certified in oncology, hospice palliative care, or pediatric oncology. A de Souza Nurse can work in a variety of practice areas including:
- Regional Cancer Centre
- Hospice
- Community or General Hospital
- Public Health or Community Agency
de Souza Nurse Requirements:
- Certification in oncology or hospice palliative care (CNA) or CPHON pediatric oncology certification*
- Must take one course offering from each of the four domains
- Complete a clinical fellowship
*If not yet certified, de Souza Institute provides study groups and exam support for CNA certifications in oncology or hospice palliative care, and the CPHON pediatric oncology certification.
Recommended courses for de Souza Nurse designation:
1. Treatment and Delivery of Evidence Based Care
- Psychosocial Workshop*
- Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Standardized Course
- Cancer Genetics for Nurses Workshop
- Pain and Symptom Management Workshop
2. Therapeutic and Supportive Relationships
3. Developing Professional Practice and Leadership:
4. Patient Teaching and Coaching:
* Course can only count towards one domain
de Souza APN (Advanced Practice Nurse)
The de Souza APN stream is aimed at Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Educators who have a Master degree. Certification in oncology, hospice palliative care or pediatric oncology is required to become a de Souza APN.
- A de Souza APN could work in a variety of areas including:
- Regional Cancer Centre
- Hospice
- Community or General Hospital
- Public Health or Community Agency
de Souza APN requirements:
- Masters degree or higher
- Certification in oncology or hospice palliative care (CNA) or CPHON pediatric oncology certification*
- Must take one course offering from each of the four domains
- Complete a clinical fellowship
*If not yet certified, de Souza Institute provides study groups and exam support for CNA certifications in oncology or hospice palliative care, and the CPHON pediatric oncology certification.
Recommended courses for de Souza APN designation:
1. Treatment and Delivery of Evidence Based Care
- Psychosocial Workshop*
- Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Standardized Course
- Cancer Genetics for Nurses Workshop
- Pain and Symptom Management Workshop
2. Therapeutic and Supportive Relationships
3. Developing Professional Practice and Leadership:
4. Patient Teaching and Coaching:
* Course can only count towards one domain
de Souza Nurse Scholar
The de Souza Nurse Scholar stream is aimed at nurses who are pursuing a PhD or completing a post doctorate, in an oncology or hospice palliative care related field. A de Souza Nurse Scholar could be a nursing executive, manager, professor or scientist.
A de Souza Nurse Scholar could work in:
- Administration
- Research
- Education
de Souza Nurse Scholar Requirements:
- Pursuing a PhD or post Docorate
- Engage in de Souza research mentorship/fellowship