Understanding cancer nurses’ training, development and career progression needs: insights from the ACCEND workforce survey

Abstract

The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) programme provides a clear, structured framework for the education, training and career development of the nursing and allied health professions workforce who provide care to people affected by cancer. The programme is supported by the ACCEND Career Pathway, Core Cancer Capabilities and Education Framework (the ACCEND framework). In 2024-25, a workforce survey was undertaken in England to better understand the cancer workforce and to inform the continued development and implementation of the ACCEND programme and framework.This article provides an insight into the responses provided by nurses, who comprised around half the survey respondents. The results indicate that nurses require local guidance to support them to identify which of the core cancer capabilities within the ACCEND framework are required for their role and level of practice, as well as access to ACCEND facilitators, clinical educators or practice-based mentors to support their professional development and career aspirations. Nationally, the development of agreed guidance for standardising nurses’ role titles, aligned to specific levels of practice, minimum knowledge requirements and core cancer capabilities, would be beneficial for informing workforce strategies.