Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Building a specialist workforce: An education program for top-of-scope melanoma nursing (146365)

Sharon De Graves 1 2 , Rebecca Johnson 3 4 , Michelle Rosano 3 , Kathe Holmes 2 , Kyleigh Smith 2 , Michelle Barrett 2 , Sue Smith 2 , Jules McNamara 2 , Mei Krishnasamy 1 2 5
  1. Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, University of Melbourne , Parkville , VIC
  2. VCCC Alliance, Parkville, VIC
  3. Melanoma Institute Australia, North Sydney, NSW
  4. University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
  5. Centre for Health Services Research in Cancer , Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, VIC

Background: The rapid evolution of melanoma diagnosis, immunotherapy and targeted therapies has expanded the role of melanoma nurses, requiring advanced clinical knowledge, care coordination, patient education, leadership and research capability to deliver equitable access to personalised care across a vast geographical landscape. Despite this, few dedicated education pathways exist to support melanoma nurses to develop specialist practice nationally.

Aim: To describe the development, implementation and evaluation of a national melanoma nursing education program designed to build specialist capability and enable nurses to practise at the top of their scope.

Methods: The VCCC Alliance, with Melanoma Institute Australia, co-designed and delivered a multifaceted national education program underpinned by a Melanoma Nursing Advanced Practice Pathway1. Evidence-informed and iteratively developed with clinical experts and the voices of people with lived experience, it included a tailored online learning hub, webinar series, workshops, leadership development, research training, and a melanoma biology course, to build capability across the five domains of advanced nursing practice2.

Results: The program delivered 25 education activities, a five-module online course and access to leadership and research training. Ten consumers contributed through 50 episodes of engagement adding perspectives that were highly valued by participants.  Educational resources (23 recorded for open access) and a national advanced practice pathway, mapped to advanced practice domains, were key program outputs. Activity evaluation demonstrated high satisfaction, strong intention to change practice, and delivery of education that addressed a learning gap. Learners valued the practical, case-based design, multidisciplinary and lived-experience perspectives, and applicability to building advanced practice capability.

Conclusion: This nationally coordinated specialist education program strengthened workforce capability, enabling melanoma nurses to practice at the top of their scope. Demonstrating the value of a structured program intentionally aligned with national advanced practice guidelines, this model provides a scalable framework for developing capability across multiple specialties.

  1. 1. VCCC Alliance and Melanoma Institute Australia. (2026, June). Melanoma Nursing Advanced Practice Pathway. VCCC Alliance. Melanoma Nursing - Advanced practice pathway | VCCC Alliance Centre for Cancer Education
  2. 2. Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers Australia. (2020). Advanced Nursing Practice: Guidelines for the Australian Context. Department of Health, Canberra, ACT.