The Nurse Practitioner in Oncology Fellowship at BC Cancer is an innovative and comprehensive 13-month program designed to prepare NPs to deliver full-scope oncology care across a wide range of tumor sites. It includes weekly seminars, supervised clinical practicums and a scholarly project. Topics include all nine major tumour sites, three minor tumor sites, radiation oncology, and elective placements in areas such as pain and symptom management, palliative care, survivorship, interventional oncology, community oncology. Fellows may also request additional tumor site-specific training at specific sites.
Once completed, graduates will write the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP®) certification exam and have their advanced competencies formally recognized.
This first-in-Canada clinical fellowship program will help to advance
BC’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan by bolstering our clinicals teams and improve access to experience cancer care professionals for patients and families throughout BC.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Successful completion of a Master of Nursing: Nurse Practitioner program (or equivalent).
- Newly graduated NP or NP with up to four (4) years of oncology experience, in good standing.
- Registered Nurse Practitioner licensed with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), or eligible for licensure prior to program start.
- Demonstrated interest in oncology practice.
- Ability to commit to 1.0 FTE for the duration of the program.
Successful NP Fellows will receive:
- Intensive clinical training
- Weekly didactic seminars
- Protected educational time
Training details:
- Weekly seminars primarily delivered online,
- In-person sessions required up to three days (twice over the course of the 13 month program)
- Clinical practice four (4) days per week.
- Rotations will occur primarily at the NP’s home worksite, with potential opportunities at other BC Cancer centres or Community Oncology Network (CoN) sites, where applicable.
- Exposure to diverse oncology subspecialties and patient populations, including intensive clinical experience across multiple tumour sites (e.g., lung, breast, GI, GU, head and neck, hematological malignancies).
Focused development of:
Advanced critical thinking and clinical decision-making.
Confidence in autonomous and collaborative NP practice.
Evidence-based and population-based oncology care.
Exposure to clinical trials and research protocols.
Courses will be scheduled as outlined below including:
Term 1 (September to December)
NURS 5XX – Nurse Practitioner Oncology 1 (4 credits)
- PHSA onsite week: Onboarding, FESR & CST Cerner training; oncology patient assessment & serious illness conversation
- Breast cancer
- Immunotherapy
- Lung cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancers
- Genitourinary cancers
Term 2 (January to April)
NURS 5XX – Nurse Practitioner Oncology 2 (4 credits)
- Management of Drug Reactions
- Gynecologic cancers
- Hematologic malignancies
- Radiation therapy
- Head and neck malignancies
- Oncologic emergencies
- Pain and symptom management
- Palliative care/MAiD
Terms 3 & 4 (May to September)
NURS 5XX – Nurse Practitioner Oncology 3 (4 credits)
- PHSA onsite for 3 days: Spiritual care in oncology, Indigenous and cultural care in oncology, Ethics in oncology
- Ethics in oncology
- Genomics and genetic testing
- Melanoma and skin cancers
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Sarcomas and rare tumors
- Central nervous system tumors
- Geriatric oncology care
- Exercise in oncology
- Survivorship/late effects
- Clinical trials
All terms
NURS 595 - Scholarly Practice Advancement Research Project (3 credits)
Learners will register in 595 in W1 and remain registered for the duration of the certificate. Learners will receive an orientation to the project requirements in W1 and will be expected to make progress throughout the duration of the certificate, with regular milestones and check-ins required.
Participants will be expected to:
- Perform comprehensive patient assessments, diagnostics, and prescribe treatment plans.
- Provide increasingly independent patient care under appropriate supervision.
- Collaborate within interdisciplinary teams and make referrals as required.
- Participate in clinical rounds, case discussions, and program seminars.
- Complete a scholarly project.
- Complete the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) certification exam at the conclusion of the program.
- Sign and complete an 18-month Return of Service (ROS).
Interested applicants are invited to submit an Expression of Interest that includes:
- A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A 750 to 1,000-word Letter of Intent outlining:
- Interest in the program.
- How this opportunity aligns with your professional career goals.
- Preferred worksite/location.
- Contact information for three (3) references, including at least one clinical reference and one from your Department Head or NP Program Supervisor (if new NP grad).
- A minimum of one (1) professional letter of recommendation.
Apply through PHSA Careers (*internal). Search for Nurse Practitioner Oncology Education Program.
The deadline for the 2026 cohort is March 31, 2026.
Application deadlines for future cohorts will be announced in later in the year.
For more information, contact
Chantel Canessa, executive director and department head, Nurse Practitioners, PHSA.