4.6.1 The registered nurses lived experience of working in ward based oncology care (51)
Helen Sinclair, Teaching Fellow, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom h.sinclair@qub.ac.uk
Abstract:
Background:
It is widely documented nurses experience work related stress resulting in a potential negative impact on their quality of life (Ergun et al. 2005). Cancer nursing is known to be a particularly stressful occupation (Barnard et al. 2006). The purpose of this research was to explore the lived experience on registered nurses of working in ward based oncology care.
Aims:
To describe the lived experience of ward based registered oncology nurses of caring for patients with a diagnosis of cancer.
Methods:
A volunteer sample of six nurses was recruited from an oncology hospital in Northern Ireland. Each participant was interviewed from November 2005 until March 2006, using a semi structured interview. A second interview was undertaken to authenticate results. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was undertaken. All ethical requirements were met prior to the study commencing.
Findings:
Analysis generated three important themes which represents the registered nurses lived experience of working in ward based oncology care. The study found there is both a favourable and opposing impact of working in ward based oncology. Risk factors, associated with the patient, were identified as having an impact on the nurse. Detachment was used by nurses as a way of coping, identified as being an effective coping strategy (Canfield, 2005).
Discussion & conclusion:
This study provides an indepth understanding of the lived experience of registered nurses of working in ward based oncology care. These findings have contributed to the existing knowledge of the impact on registered nurses of working in ward based oncology care and the coping strategies used to assist them in their contact with patients and their relatives.
Recommended reading list:
- Barnard, D., Street, A. and Love, A. W. (2006) Relationships between Stressors, Work Supports and Burnout among Cancer Nurses. Cancer Nursing, 29(4), pp. 338-345
- Canfield, J. (2005) Secondary Traumatization, Burnout, and Vicarious Traumatisation: A review of the Literature as it relates to therapist who treat trauma. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 75(2), pp. 81-101
- Ergun, F. S., Oran, N. T. and Bender, C. M. (2005) Quality of Life of Oncology Nurses. Cancer Nursing, 28(3). pp. 193-199
Source of Funding: N/A
Level of Funding: N/A
Biography:
In 1993 I qualified as a registered nurse and until 1996 worked in Care of the Elderly where I became a Nurse Sister. In 1996 I entered oncology nursing and worked in an oncology treatment ward specialising in chemotherapy and radiotherapy. From 1998, along with a charitable organisation, we introduced a new oncology counselling service within the Hospital for patients, relatives and staff. From 2002, I have been a Teaching Fellow in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University. My professional and academic interests are psychological issues in oncology.