The role of the prostate cancer nurse co‐ordinator: nurses' perspectives of barriers and challenges

Abstract

The prostate cancer nurse co-ordinator (PCNC) is a relatively new role in Australia. Although a post graduate prostate cancer nursing specialist training course has been established, within the clinical setting the role is still poorly defined and understood. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and experiences of PCNCs regarding: (i) the challenges of their role, and (ii) the interaction of job demands and job resources in determining the impact of their role on their level of work-related stress and delivery of care, using the job-demands and resources (JD-R) model. Qualitative study was designed involving thematic analysis of telephone interviews with PCNCs. Structured interviews were conducted with 15 PCNCs recruited through the Australian and New Zealand Urological Nurses' Society membership. Interview structure was guided by The JD-R model. Respondents reported a wide range of role descriptions and activities, reflecting a lack of clarity in role definition. They also reported high demands in an environment of limited resources. However, at least in part, these stressors were mediated by high levels of job satisfaction and reward from high levels of patient care. These findings highlight the need for clear role definition and implementation of guidelines to establish case-loads. To facilitate role clarity and a sustainable, professionally trained workforce, adequate training and competency are essential. Organizational autonomy through the implementation of nurse-led clinics might further enhance the role.

Ethnicity and the prostate cancer experience: a qualitative metasynthesis

“…In general, HCPs need to develop more culturally competent communication skills . Encouragingly, many men slowly developed an interest in engaging in their own care, which is typical of patients with long‐term conditions including cancer who gradually become experts in their condition . This suggests enhanced HCP communication would be particularly productive in the post‐treatment phase.…”

Australian cancer nurses’ experiences of burnout

“…Although the broader nursing workforce experience some commonality in job demands, for example, workload pressures (see McVicar, 2016), specific groups of nurses are known to experience job demands unique to their work context, such as workplace violence and aggression toward emergency nurses (McDermid et al, 2020), and low personal accomplishment in primary health care nurses (Monsalve-Reyes et al, 2018). When looking to cancer nurses, high job demands have been reported by prostate cancer nurse coordinators (a specialized cancer nursing role), in the context of a resource-constrained environment, but interestingly, these stressors were mediated by job resources described as the job satisfaction and reward gained from close involvement with patients (Morgan et al, 2015). Although useful, these findings are limited to a very specific subspecialty of cancer nursing, where job demands may be unique to this context.…”