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de Souza Designations

A de Souza Designation is awarded to a healthcare professional who has completed one of the de Souza Institute comprehensive learning pathways shown below. de Souza Designates are well-regarded health care professionals possessing strong clinical and leadership skills in oncology or palliative care. They have the up to date knowledge to deliver complex treatments, alleviate pain and other symptom related suffering and address psychosocial needs of patients and families.

de Souza

Intern

de Souza

Nurse Associate

de Souza

Nurse

de Souza

APN

de Souza

Scholar

Education Nursing student RN, RPN, or LPN RN APN PhD or Post-Doctorate
Credits Required* 2.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
Required Courses FOND CANB, FOND or PSCB CANB, FOND or PSCB CANB, FOND or PSCB
Registered with College of Nurses
Clinical Experience One placement 1950 hours 1950 hours 1950 hours
Certified in Oncology or Hospice Palliative Care**
Clinical Fellowship 75 hours 150 hours
Research Project
Apply now! Apply now! Apply now! Apply now! Apply now!

* with a minimum of one course from each domain
** by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) or the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) in the USA



  • Education: RN, RPN, or LPN
  • Credits Required*: 4.0
  • Required Courses: CANB, FOND or PSCB
  • Registered with College of Nurses
  • Clinical Experience: 1950 hours
  • Apply now!


  • Education: RN
  • Credits Required*: 4.0
  • Required Courses: CANB, FOND or PSCB
  • Registered with College of Nurses
  • Clinical Experience: 1950 hours
  • Certified in Oncology or Hospice Palliative Care**
  • Clinical Fellowship: 75 hours
  • Apply now!


  • Education: APN
  • Credits Required*: 4.0
  • Required Courses: CANB, FOND or PSCB
  • Registered with College of Nurses
  • Clinical Experience: 1950 hours
  • Certified in Oncology or Hospice Palliative Care**
  • Clinical Fellowship: 150 hours
  • Research Project
  • Apply now!


  • Education: PhD or Post-Doctorate
  • Registered with College of Nurses
  • Research Project
  • Apply now!

* with a minimum of one course from each domain
** by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) or the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) in the USA

Domains

de Souza courses are informed by four practice standards detailed in the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO/ACIO) Practice Standards and Competencies for the Specialized Oncology Nurse. To obtain your de Souza Designation, you must achieve 4.0 course credits with at least one course completed from each of the four domains. Click the headings to browse courses in each domain or find a pdf list here.

Treatment and Delivery of Evidence Based Care

These courses are about developing skills and knowledge in treating and delivering cancer and palliative care. Course teachings are based on best practices and provincial and Canadian standards.

Therapeutic and Supportive Relationships

These courses address engaging in caring relationships with cancer patients and their families. These courses focus on the professional’s role in being supportive and sensitive to a patient’s changing physical and psychosocial responses.

Developing Professional Practice and Leadership

Engaging in critical thinking, integrating best practice and evidence based knowledge, exercising ethical judgment and advocating for change are the foundation of courses under this category.

Patient Teaching and Coaching

These courses help health professionals prepare individuals living with cancer and their families to manage the many aspects of the cancer experience. Courses are geared towards helping provide patient education, psychosocial support and counseling.

de Souza Designations are in demand!


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