Oncology nursing continues to evolve in response to advances in cancer treatment, information and biotechnology. As new scientific and technological discoveries are integrated into cancer care, oncology nurses need to play a key role in the management of this patient population. The role of the oncology nurse has expanded significantly and can differ greatly across cultures. Sophisticated treat...

PURPOSE Oncology nurses in ambulatory settings are at increased risk for unintentional chemotherapy exposure due to the large volumes of agents delivered and the absence of regulatory enforcement. Given the limited data regarding the correlates of exposure, the authors sought to identify the relationship between the organisational structures and processes of care in ambulatory oncology settings...

OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the knowledge of definition of cancer survivors among Japanese oncology nurses and their roles in long-term cancer survivorship care. METHODS A structured self-administered and self-report questionnaire created by the study investigators was given to members of the Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing. The subjects were 81 female oncology nurses. RESULTS Fo...

The prediction has come true. Patients with cancer are being treated as outpatients, and oncology admissions to hospitals have decreased significantly. Rather than dedicated oncology units, hospitals are combining medical-surgical units with oncology units; this trend seems particularly true in communitybased hospitals (Satryan, 2001). With these changes in unit demographics, how will dedicated...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To investigate differences in burnout among oncology nurses by type of work setting, coping strategies, and job satisfaction. DESIGN Descriptive. SETTING A metropolitan cancer center. SAMPLE A convenience sample of 74 oncology nurses. METHODS Participants completed a demographic data form, the Nursing Satisfaction and Retention Survey, and the Maslach Burnout Inventor...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore oncology nurses' perceptions about palliative care. RESEARCH APPROACH Descriptive study with narrative data analysis. SETTING Oncology units in three midwestern hospitals. PARTICIPANTS 33 actively practicing oncology nurses. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH Oncology nurses participated in focus groups that elicited concrete experiences and reflections about palliative...

BACKGROUND Caring is a valuable task. The staff in any profession that involves patients' fear, anxiety, pain, and suffering may experience similar feelings. As a professional group, oncology nurses deal with patients and their relatives and caregivers under very stressful conditions. They encounter pain, suffering, and death as a part of their daily life. A number of studies have evaluated the...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore oncology nurses' perceptions and experiences with patient involvement in chemotherapy error prevention. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive study. SETTING In- and outpatient oncology units of a community hospital in Switzerland. SAMPLE 11 actively practicing oncology nurses working in an ambulatory infusion unit or on wards. METHODS Oncology nurses participated ...

To raise awareness about the need to recognize and celebrate the unique gifts and qualities nurses bring to oncology, the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Nominating Committee thought that discussing the many contributions of oncology nurses would be enlightening and empowering. This article originally was offered by the authors as a presentation at the ONS 29th Annual Congress in May 2004.

In December 2011, the first delegation of oncology nurses from the United States visited Havana, Cuba. The delegation included oncology nurses, educators, and leaders from across America and provided opportunities to learn about the healthcare system, cancer, and oncology nursing in Cuba. Delegation members attended lectures, toured facilities, and enjoyed Cuban culture. This exchange highlight...