“A stressful and frightening experience”? Children's nurses' perceived readiness to care for children with cancer following pre-registration nurse education: A qualitative study

Abstract

The complexities of caring for children with cancer and their families require well-prepared nurses. Participants' perceptions of preparedness were influenced by aspects of pre-registration education. Their experiences suggest that curricula should be practice-focused and include a range of placements. Specialist theoretical content must be integrated with practice and transferability of knowledge and skills made explicit. Reflection and problem-based learning may foster coping mechanisms and resilience that will equip them to care for children with cancer.

Experienced Pediatric Oncology Nurses Using Self-Reflective Practices in the Clinical Setting: A Phenomenological Investigation

“…Six nurses were recruited and interviewed. Thematic analysis conducted on the interview transcripts revealed three themes: (a) learning theory and practice, (b) caring for the child and family, and (c) developing resilience (Jestico & Finlay, 2017). Due to the considerable number of stressful situations pediatric oncology nurses endured, nurses who are resilient and use selfreflection were more able to develop successful coping methods.…”

“…Self-reflection has been associated with nurses' ability to manage and process the emotional demands of the workplace (Altounji et al, 2012;Charalambous & Kaite, 2013;Jestico & Finlay, 2017;Linder, 2009;Mirlashari et al, 2017). Altounji et al (2012) described the development and implementation of self-care retreats (three total throughout the year), which were specifically tailored for pediatric oncology nurses to help them address a type of workplace stressor, moral distress.…”

“…These findings were similar to those of Altounji et al (2012), Enskär (2012), Hines and Gaughan (2014), and Linder (2009), where nursing professionals used self-reflective practices to have a platform to liven their passion for the profession. Furthermore, student nurses who learn from their experiences and who use self-reflective practices may develop personal resilience that can help them cope with the demands of their profession (Jestico & Finlay, 2017).…”

“…While reflective narratives, diaries, and journals are helpful for nurses to understand the process of self-reflection, Jestico and Finlay (2017) explored the perceptions of pediatric oncology nurses on whether their nursing education prepared them to care for children with cancer. Six nurses were recruited and interviewed.…”

“…Reflection is described as essential to nursing practice but not necessarily something nurses must use to provide care to their patients (Gustafsson & Fagerberg, 2004;Oluwatoyin, 2015). In the literature, researchers have suggested pediatric oncology nurses are familiar with using self-reflective practices in two distinct ways: (a) to learn how to improve the art and science of nursing practice and (b) to make sense of unexpected events that may leave nurses feeling emotionally drained (Altounji et al, 2012;Charalambous & Kaite, 2013;Enskär, 2012;Hines & Gaughan, 2014;Jestico & Finlay, 2017;Linder, 2009;Mirlashari, Warnock, & Jahanbani, 2017). For example, Linder (2009) explored the experiences of pediatric oncology nurses during their first years of hire.…”