Our nurses
McGrath Breast Care Nurses are at the heart of our Foundation. From the time of diagnosis, and throughout treatment, they inform, organise, empower and support people with breast cancer and their families.
No cancer treatment is without its challenges, but this is where a McGrath Breast Care Nurse can help. They listen, guide and support people with breast cancer and their families every day through meaningful conversations, advice and quality care.
A McGrath Breast Care Nurse builds an important relationship with each person they support. They become a trusted, consistent and knowledgeable point of contact. As professional and qualified nurses they care for people with both early and metastatic breast cancer, across both public and private health services. They are available for free and without a referral. It’s as simple as checking our website and finding your nearest nurse.
Kerry, Benalla VIC
McGrath Breast Care Nurse since 2009
“I provide real, tangible care to breast cancer patients. They have this consistent care free of charge. Treatments are more complex now but as McGrath Breast Care Nurses, we keep evolving as technology changes to give patients the best possible care.”
Tamara and Janelle, Gosford NSW
Tamara – McGrath Breast Care Nurse since 2017
“I liked the idea of working with people with cancer, and I snapped up this role because I am passionate about providing the care these individuals or patients need.”
FAQs
McGrath Breast Care Nurses are registered nurses specially trained to manage the care of people with breast cancer throughout the course of their treatment. They are a principal liaison between the individual and the specialists who coordinate their treatment – whether it be early or metastatic breast cancer.
McGrath Breast Care Nurses also play an important advocacy role as well as helping to clarify technical or complicated information that may not be easily understood.
Most importantly, McGrath Breast Care Nurses offer vital emotional support for people with breast cancer and their families, during what can be a very difficult time.
McGrath Breast Care Nurses are registered nurses who are specially trained to manage the care of people with breast cancer throughout the course of their treatment. A McGrath Breast Care Nurse usually has a background in oncology, breast care or women’s health. Find out how to become a McGrath Breast Care Nurse here.
Click here to find a McGrath Breast Care Nurse near you.
The McGrath Foundation is working towards its vision of a breast care nurse for every family no matter where they live or their financial situation.
There are currently 233 McGrath Breast Care Nurses, however more are needed as more people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
The earlier a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is connected to someone diagnosed with breast cancer the better the outcomes are. Ideally a nurse is involved from the time of diagnosis, however they offer support across all stages of both early and metastatic breast cancer. If you or someone you know would like the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse click here.
The support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse can substantially improve the quality of care someone receives because they work with doctors, surgeons and other health professionals and act as a consistent source of information and contact throughout breast cancer treatment.
Continuous support from a McGrath Breast Care Nurse can greatly minimise the stress and trauma of a breast cancer diagnosis for an individual and their family.
McGrath Breast Care Nurses are highly-qualified nurses who add significant value to the coordination of care, support, guidance and advice to families experiencing breast cancer. Our nurses usually have a background in oncology, breast care or women’s health and sometimes even psychology. They will often have post-graduate qualifications in breast care nursing.
The McGrath Foundation provides funding for McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia. Each McGrath Breast Care Nurse is funded for a minimum of three years.
We work closely with all state and territory health departments, as well as nominated area health services, to determine areas of need and locations for additional McGrath Breast Care Nurses.
Each application will be considered on its merits, and please consider the basic criteria before developing an application for funding:
– Funding is only available for the employment of specialist breast care nurses
– Top-up funding for existing positions is not generally available
– All locations will be considered based on the need and priority of that need
A proposal can be submitted at any time. Apart from exceptional circumstances, all proposals will be reviewed semi-annually and all applications will remain active for each review process.
If you would like to apply for funding, please reach out to bcnpt@mcgrathfoundation.com.au.
Would you like to become a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse?
McGrath Cancer Care Nurses have a genuine desire to make a difference and support families going through a breast cancer experience by providing them with physical, psychological and emotional support from diagnosis and right through treatment.