LAUSR

84 Background: A major public health concern is the recognition of the growing demand for PC in oncology practice. Despite proven benefits, there is often no system in place to provide concurrent palliative and oncology care. Oncology patients and families often report psychological and social stress from cancer care impacted by unmet information and care coordination needs. OAPRNs within cancer centers can provide models of leadership which facilitate systems and organizational changes to provide the best quality PC for oncology patients. Methods: This unique skills-based innovative program/curriculum, supported by R25 funding from NCI, is designed to educate OAPRNs to provide primary PC in oncology practice. Five national workshops will be conducted 2018 - 2021. The participants are competitively selected from NCI designated and community cancer centers depending on goals and the commitment to partner with a specialty palliative care team. All participants will be followed at 6 and 12 months regarding challenges and opportunities in developing/instituting primary palliative care in their oncology practice/institution. Results: The first national workshop was held April 2018, N = 69 representing 23 states, with post course evaluations rating [on a scale of 1 = low to 5 = high] that the materials and resources were applicable to their practice as 4.94, and information stimulating and thought provoking regarding palliative care issues as 4.95. This presentation will report on the OAPRNs’ 6 month post-course outcomes, which will reflect on the challenges and opportunities in implementing skills as primary PC providers within their institutions. This presentation will also report on monthly webinars that reinforce content and enable the OAPRNs to share experiences in implementing primary PC, in order to foster professional networking. Conclusions: This unique educational offering will provide practicing OAPRNs with the knowledge and skills to provide primary palliative care to facilitate systems and organizational changes for quality PC within oncology settings.