Cancer clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

Contrast:

Multidisciplinary team

CNSs work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) which manages and delivers diagnostics and treatment.

This team includes tumour site-specific consultants and other specialist staff alongside the CNS.

Primary role

The CNS' primary role is to provide specialist support to patients and their family or carers from the time of diagnosis. This may include:

identifying patients' needs and concerns through a holistic needs assessment
creating a care plan
discussing treatment options
providing verbal and written information
managing effects of treatment
advanced communication skills
managing distress and other psychological reactions
providing on-going support throughout the treatment pathway.

Role development

All CNSs manage and deliver complex personalised care and support to patients at every stage of the cancer pathway. Some CNSs run nurse-led clinics, for example post-surgery checks or follow-up.

The CNS role has become more diverse over time. To support clinicians and oncologists and increase productivity, other senior specialist nurse roles have developed, such as consultant nurses and advanced nurse practitioners.