Resource Library

Being a CNSA member is more than a subscription—it’s a sign of professionalism, commitment, and community. Employers and interview panels increasingly look for active involvement in professional associations like CNSA as a sign that you’re engaged, up to date, and serious about your career.

We are pleased to share the release of the Nursing and Midwifery Research Career Framework (NMRCF), an important new resource from the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia and New Zealand) that strengthens the bridge between clinical practice and research.

Last week saw an exciting development for Cancer Nurse Practitioners, who are now authorised to prescribe an expanded list of oncology and haematology medicines listed on the PBS General Schedule, further strengthening their ability to deliver timely, comprehensive cancer care.

CNSA is pleased to announce our 2026 CNSA Research Grant recipients, Dr Kerrie Curtis and Ashlee Stirling, PhD Candidate (University of Southern Queensland). Their projects reflect the strength of nurse-led research, grounded in real-world challenges and focused on improving patient experience, equity, and the sustainability of cancer services. Together, Kerrie and Ashlee's projects highlight key priorities for the profession: strengthening nurse-led models of care, enabling nurses to work to full scope of practice, and generating evidence that supports workforce planning, funding decisions, and service redesign.

Planning is well underway for our 28th Annual Congress, taking place in Perth from 17–19 June, and it is shaping up to be the must-attend event on the cancer nursing calendar. We are delighted to announce our first keynote speakers Professor Kim Alexander, Professor Mei Krishnasamy and Daniel Johnstone (consumer and PhD Candidate), who will set the stage for an outstanding Congress program.

Thanks to our partnership with MooGoo Skin Care, we’re awarding three scholarships of $10,000 each to support postgraduate cancer nursing students in Australia. These scholarships help subsidise study costs and strengthen the education of our cancer nursing workforce. Apply before April 11.

Do you want to attend EONS in Berlin, CANO in Canada, UKONS in the UK, ONS in the US, MASCC in the US or the World Lung Cancer Conference in Barcelona? Now is your chance to apply for one of 3 scholarships.

We’re excited to announce that applications are now open to apply for one of 5 x $2000 grants to help subsidise costs associated with attending our 2025 Annual Congress, Global Voices, Local Action: From Inspiration to Implementation, which is taking place from June 18-21 in Adelaide.

Although asbestos use was banned decades ago, the legacy of exposure continues to emerge in our hospitals and cancer care settings. November is Asbestos Awareness Month - a timely reminder that asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis remain very real health concerns.

The Australian Government has launched the National Cancer Data Framework, marking a major step forward in improving accessibility, consistency and comprehensiveness of cancer data in Australia. Developed by Cancer Australia in partnership with Cancer Council Australia and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the National Cancer Data Framework sets the strategic direction and priorities for collecting, managing and using comprehensive cancer data.

Do you want to be at the forefront of Cancer Nursing in Australia? Be involved with decision-making that can impact the profession? Actively implement a thorough and robust Strategic Plan for the betterment of your peers? If you've answered yes and are ready to bring your knowledge and enthusiasm to the fore, then we encourage you to nominate for the CNSA Board of Directors for a three-year term. We are currently calling for nominations for three Elected Director positions. We have big goals and aspirations, but we can only do it with your support.

At our recent CNSA Breast Cancer Community of Practice meeting, members came together with Marisa Stevens and Jenny Gilchrist to unpack the latest insights from the Breast Cancer Trials Conference and explore their relevance for nursing practice.

Over the past 18 months, CNSA, in collaboration with the University of Wollongong, has delivered the Principles and Practices of Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) micro credential courses across the country. With a deliberate focus on improving equity of access to educational opportunities for cancer nurses, CNSA has focused on reaching nurses in regional and remote areas who often face barriers to attending hands-on professional development.

CNSA is proud to partner with Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA) to launch the new Sarcoma CoP, created to support nurses with access to important information, resources and peer connection in this specialised area of cancer care.

CNSA’s podcast, Nursing Excellence in Cancer Care, continues to shine a light on the expertise and innovation that defines our profession. To build on its impact, we are launching a new initiative - member-led podcast reviews -and we’d love you to be part of it.

Cancer Nurses Day is just around the corner, and we’re officially counting down! This special day is all about recognising and celebrating the incredible work of cancer nurses across Australia — and we can’t wait to see how you get involved. So far, we’ve distributed over 300 celebration kits to teams and individuals around the country, and the excitement is building. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a full team event, there are plenty of ways to join the celebrations

Mark your calendars – Cancer Nurses Day is back, and we’re gearing up for another powerful celebration. Don't forget to order your Cancer Nurses Day Host Kit, filled with everything you need to mark the occasion in your workplace or community. Each kit includes balloons, napkins, and save-the-date postcards to help you spread the word and create a vibrant celebration.

Thursday the 15th of August marks the inaugural Cancer Nurses Day here in Australia. This special day is all about recognising and celebrating the incredible work of the 7,500 cancer nurses across the country.

Thanks to everyone who joined the 2025 Cancer Nursing 101 series! Your participation, questions and engagement made it a vibrant learning community. If you haven’t had the chance yet, now’s a great time to dive back in, catch up on missed sessions, and get ready for 2026.

We are proud to celebrate Ms Catherine Louise Johnson, who has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for her significant service to oncology nursing and research. Cath’s remarkable career spans over three decades, marked by a deep commitment to advancing cancer care, research, and nursing leadership across Australia and internationally. Since 1997, she has served as a Clinical Research Nurse in the Medical Oncology Department at Calvary Mater Newcastle, following earlier roles as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Registered Nurse across leading cancer services in NSW. As a founding member of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA), Cath played a key role in shaping the organisation from the ground up as a member of the founding streeing committee of the CNSA in Australia across 1998 and 1999.