Aims: To determine the perspectives and needs of the oncology nurses in recognising and managing the risk of suicide in cancer patients.Background: Cancer patients are one of the groups with a high risk of suicide. The perspectives and needs of oncology nurses regarding their recognition and management of suicide risk in such patients need to be clarified. Design and methods:This qualitative descriptive study used a sample of 33 oncology nurses that were sampled by maximum variation sampling from different oncology units and hospitals. Data were collected with in-depth interviews via a semi-structured interview form and analysed with content analysis. The COREQ guideline was followed for the reporting of the study.