IAANMP meet the members

Introducing Tríona Neenan, RANP in Medical Oncology, University Hospital Limerick

I have been working in cancer services in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) for almost 25 years, having previously worked in oncology departments in Cork University Hospital and Dublin. I have extensive clinical experience in all areas of oncology nursing spanning a 25-year nursing career.

While working as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), I cared for patients with urological and gynaecological malignancies, along with adolescents and young adults, and patients with brain tumours. I have worked in the oncology department since 2001.

In this time, I have worked in both inpatient services and in the haematology oncology day unit. I held the position of CNS for 17 years and in 2024 was appointed Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Medical Oncology.

I am deeply motivated to provide a high standard of evidence-based, quality care that is patient-centred and holistic. I am passionate about education and always keen to learn ways to enhance the care given to patients to ensure they receive safe and efficient care. Promoting the nursing profession is a high focus of mine and I always enjoy attending conferences and meetings to share best practice ideas and provide mentorship and guidance to colleagues.

Over the years I have worked on projects that have been published and it was a very proud moment when my research was published by the Journal of Advanced Nursing in January of this year. I would also like to share the abstract of some research that I carried out while undergoing my Masters of Nursing, Advanced Practice, in University of Limerick.

Title: Sexuality: A delicate dialogue for nurses and prostate cancer patients.
Background: The management of prostate cancer can result in erectile dysfunction and body feminisation, resulting in loss of masculinity and alterations of body image. Prostate cancer patients identify sexuality as an unmet need and report little or no communication with their healthcare providers on the topic. It is imperative to identify why communication on the topic of sexuality does not take place and determine the variables that exist that preclude nurses from addressing sexuality with prostate cancer patients.

Aim: This systematic review aims to determine the barriers that may preclude nurses from discussing sexuality with prostate cancer patients.

Method: A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies was undertaken using the PRISMA guidelines. Five databases were comprehensively searched: Cinahl, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Cochrane, and Prospero, from the period of October 1, 2013, to December 1, 2023, using defined criteria. A total of 27 studies were identified for this review.

Results: This study identified common themes, which were categorised into four groups: a) lack of training and education; b) age and years of clinical experience of nurses; c) personal values and attitudes; d) organisational factors. These factors contribute to why nurses feel unprepared and admit to not having adequate knowledge to discuss this.

Conclusion: The findings of this study illustrate that nurses require specialised communication skills to manage sensitive discussions. Education is crucial to facilitate and empower nurses to discuss sexuality with their patients. Developing a pathway to specialist referrals will encourage nurses to address this with their patients.

Authors