McGrath Breast Care Nurses from across Australia swapped their scrubs for pens and notebooks as they gathered at Westmead from 16–20 March 2026 for the Breast Cancer Institute (BCI) Early Breast Cancer Nurse Practicum, a hands-on, minds-on program designed to supercharge clinical knowledge and practical skills.
Tailored for nurses working in cancer or breast cancer care, the Practicum dives deep into early breast cancer treatment and highlights the vital role breast care nurses play in supporting patients through every step of their journey.
Over five jam-packed days, participants followed the patient journey from diagnosis to treatment and beyond, exploring survivorship with empathy and expertise. The program showcases the unique BCI model of care, where BreastScreen NSW and specialised breast cancer multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) work side-by-side to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.
The immersive format encourages nurses to reflect on their own practice, soak up new insights, and bring fresh ideas back to their teams. It’s also a great chance to swap stories, share resources, and build lasting connections with fellow McGrath Nurses from across the country.
Running since 2006, the Westmead BCI Early Breast Cancer Nurse Practicum is held two to three times a year, alongside the Westmead BCI Metastatic Breast Care Online Workshop, which runs twice annually. With small groups of just five to ten nurses per session, the Practicum offers a warm, welcoming space for tailored learning and deep dives into key topics.
Feedback from practicum participants was overwhelmingly positive:
- “Absolutely fantastic information throughout the whole week with amazing, passionate and educational speakers, each and every session.”
- “The practicum has by far met my expectations and learning experience.”
- “I’ve got some great take home education that will impact and improve my practice.”
- “I loved everything. It was so well thought out. Very relevant to my job.”
Westmead BCI will be running more Early Breast Cancer Nurse Practicum and Metastatic Breast Care Online Workshop in June, August and November 2026.
Contact us if you’d like to find out more.