de Souza Designations
The de Souza Designation is the latest standard in cancer care nursing excellence. Nurses with the de Souza Designation are recognized by employers, patients and families, policymakers and the publicas well-regarded health care professionals possessing strong communication and leadership skills and are known as lifelong learners providing nursing excellence in psychosocial care. The four Designations are:
- de Souza Nurse Associate
- de Souza Nurse
- de Souza APN
- de Souza Scholar
Each of the de Souza Designations requires a minimum of 4.0 course credits with at least one course completion from each of the following four domains:
- Therapeutic & Supportive Relationship
- Developing Professional Practice and Leadership
- Treatment & Delivery of Evidence Based Care
- Patient Teaching & Coaching
The four domains of practice are based upon The Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO/ACIO) Practice Standards and Competencies. To learn which courses fall under each of the four domains, click here.
de Souza Designations are open to all Ontario nurses that care for patients with - or at risk of developing - cancer. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, de Souza Institute offers courses at no cost to nurses interested in obtaining their de Souza Designation.
Once the Designation is achieved, nurses maintain their Designation in a variety of ways. Click here to learn more about maintaining the de Souza Designation.
Click on the Designations below to find out the requirements and to see which one is right for you.
"Becoming a de Souza Nurse has given me the enhanced knowledge, skills, and judgment to support those living with cancer. I encourage all nurses who care for cancer patients in Ontario to seek the de Souza Designation."
Carol Gunsch
First de Souza Designate
- Designations
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de Souza Nurse Associate
The de Souza Nurse Associate Designation is ideal for RNs or RPNs who are not specialized in oncology and care for patients living with or at risk of developing cancer.
You may ...
The de Souza Nurse Associate Designation is ideal for RNs or RPNs who are not specialized in oncology and care for patients living with or at risk of developing cancer.
You may work in: Public Health/Community Agencies, Home Care, Long-term Care, Hospice/Palliative Care, Emergency, Medical/Surgery Unit, Critical Care, General Hospitals and Public Health or Community Agencies.
To receive this Designation, you must:
- obtain 4.0 credits by completing at least one course from each of the four domains of practice
Click here to apply.
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de Souza Nurse
The de Souza Nurse Designation is ideal for RNs who are certified in oncology, hospice palliative care, or pediatric oncology.
You may work in: Regional Cancer Centres, ...
The de Souza Nurse Designation is ideal for RNs who are certified in oncology, hospice palliative care, or pediatric oncology.
You may work in: Regional Cancer Centres, Hospice/Palliative Care, Community or General Hospitals and Public Health or Community Agencies.
To receive this Designation, you must:
- be certified in oncology or hospice palliative care by the Canadian Nursing Association (CNA), the Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) or the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation in USA (ONCC)
- obtain 4.0 credits by completing at least one course from each of the four domains of practice
- complete 2 weeks or 75 hours clinical fellowship
Click here to apply for the clinical fellowship.
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de Souza APN
The de Souza APN Designation is ideal for RNs, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Educators who have a Master's degree and certification in oncology, hospice ...
The de Souza APN Designation is ideal for RNs, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Educators who have a Master's degree and certification in oncology, hospice palliative care or pediatric oncology.
You may work in: Regional Cancer Centres, Hospice Community or General Hospitals, Public Health or Community Agencies.
To receive this Designation, you must:
- hold a Master's Degree or higher
- ideally be certified in oncology or hospice palliative care by the Canadian Nursing Association (CNA), the Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) or the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation in USA (ONCC)
- complete a 4 week or 150 hour Clinical Fellowship, plus a research project
- obtain 4.0 credits by completing at least one course from each of the four domains of practice
Click here to apply for the clinical fellowship.
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de Souza Scholar
The de Souza Scholar Designation is ideal for nurses who are pursuing a PhD or Post-Doctorate, in an oncology or hospice palliative care related field. A de Souza Nurse Scholar could ...
The de Souza Scholar Designation is ideal for nurses who are pursuing a PhD or 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.
You may work in: Administration, Research or Education in an academic setting and/or clinical setting such as Regional Cancer Centres, Hospice Community or General Hospitals, Public Health or Community Agencies.
To receive this Designation, you must:
- be pursuing a PhD or Post-Doctorate
- complete required advance course in research and leadership
- complete a de Souza research mentorship/fellowship
- hold 2 OTN nursing rounds and moderate 2 OTN nursing rounds
- publish in a peer-review journal within the four domains of practice
- write a grant application in research, education or leadership
Click here to apply for the clinical fellowship.