CN77 EONS advocacy toolkit: How to let your voice be heard as a cancer nurse

Cancer nurses are at the heart of cancer care and experience the rapidly changing conditions and the influence of health politics in their daily practice. These are some of the reasons why there needs to be leaders who can uniquely and effectively promote policy and social change in cancer. Recognising the lack of a document on cancer nursing advocacy, the European Oncology Nursing Society’s (EONS) Advocacy Working Group developed a guide aimed at addressing the need for individuals and organisations in cancer to better understand the advocacy concept and for a successful approach to sustainable advocacy. A review of the relevant literature was conducted to identify themes, theoretical perspectives, and other information relevant to the topic. Moreover, authoritative and adaptable resources, advocacy documents from international organisations and EONS’ advocacy work, were retrieved. A toolkit, consisting of two parts, has been created to offer practical advice and guidance regarding advocacy for cancer nurses. The first part includes the theoretical background and is divided into four target groups in advocacy: i) advocacy in general; ii) advocacy for people affected by cancer; iii) advocacy in nursing education to increase quality of care and create awareness among early career cancer nurses; and iv) advocacy for cancer nurses. The second part describes the advocacy tools that can be used for influencing policy; raising awareness; involving the public; developing an advocacy strategy; monitoring and evaluating advocacy activities. It additionally offers a mapping of good practices in cancer nursing advocacy in Europe. EONS Advocacy Toolkit provides a comprehensive guide to different aspects and the best practices in cancer nursing advocacy. The use of the toolkit is expected to enhance advocacy skills of nurses and cancer nursing societies to influence decisions that improve cancer nursing status and recognition in Europe.