Cardio-Oncology Nursing Education (CONE): an innovative educational program for nurses caring for patients with cancer and concurrent cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND: Cardio-oncology addresses the cardiovascular health of patients with cancer, an area of growing importance as cancer survival rates improve. Nurses play a central role in monitoring, educating, and coordinating care, yet a structured, standardized, competency-based education is lacking. This article describes the development, structure, and implementation of the Cardio-Oncology Nursing Education (CONE) program, a global educational initiative designed to equip nurses with specialized knowledge and skills to manage cardiovascular complications in patients with cancer. METHODS: The CONE curriculum was developed by an international, multidisciplinary committee, informed by a global nursing learning-needs assessment. It comprises 27 virtual modules, providing 18.25 nursing contact hours, including 10.25 pharmacotherapeutics credits accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, aligned with contemporary evidence-based guidelines. Modules cover cardiovascular risk assessment, therapy-related toxicity, survivorship, and multidisciplinary care coordination. CONCLUSIONS: The CONE program provides a standardized, evidence-based framework for cardio-oncology nursing education, promoting nurse-led, patient-centered care and improving outcomes for cancer survivors. The asynchronous, flexible curriculum addresses global accessibility barriers and supports learner-directed professional development. Future directions include hybrid learning, simulation-based education, and competency-based certification to formalize nursing roles globally.