Requirements and expectations regarding the professional readiness of the nurse to provide palliative care to oncological patients

Abstract

The nurses training in the field of palliative care is a prerequisite for qualified care and psychological support of incurable patients.Objective – to analyze the professional readiness of nurses in the field of palliative care provision depending on their competencies.Material and methods. The bibliosemantic method was applied. A survey of 20 nurses of the Chernivtsi Regional Clinical Oncology Hospital was conducted to determine their readiness to work with incurable patients in 3 areas: capability, willingness, and resilience [10].Results. The main structural elements of the competency approach to the professional readiness of a nurse in the palliative field are based on thorough knowledge of palliative care, understanding of the essence of phenomena, practical skills and abilities in this field, the ability to choose action methods that are adequate to specific circumstances, spiritual and emotional stability, individual empathy and compassion, a sense of responsibility for the obtained results, constant self-improvement through self/learning and purposefulness. The analysis of 3 scales (ability, readiness and stability) showed high internal consistency and readiness to work in the conditions of the oncology hospital of 95% of the surveyed nurses. Conclusion. A competent approach in the nurse practical activities with an empathetic, spiritual and personal peculiarities to the medical support of palliative patients is a fundamental criterion of professional suitability.