The Lived Experience of Grief, Loss, and Coping Among Pediatric Oncology Nurses (733)

Abstract

1.Describe pediatric oncology nurses’ experiences with both professional and personal grief.2.Discuss efforts toward developing interventions to minimize stress and distress in this population. Background. Pediatric oncology nurses face numerous and continual stressors, including supporting distraught families, understanding complicated protocols, and caring for children with cancer, many of whom will die. The literature suggests coping with the death of a pediatric oncology patient with whom the nurse has developed an intense relationship places considerable stress on a nurse. In addition, pediatric oncology nurses may be faced with personal losses and grief, which may contribute to their moral distress, grief, bereavement, or burnout. Although the stress involved in oncology nursing is well documented in the literature, there is a paucity of research identifying the specific determinants of stress and support measures to effectively remedy the situation. Research objectives. The aim of this study was to assess inpatient pediatric oncology nurses’ lived experience of burnout and bereavement and to identify the nurses’ perceptions about strategies to alleviate these negative outcomes. Methods. Using a phenomenological approach, the research team conducted semi-structured interviews with focus groups of 4-6 pediatric nurses at a comprehensive cancer center. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and reviewed for accuracy. Results. Both the transcripts and the interviewers’ notes and memos were included in the analysis, which sought to reflect on the essential themes that characterize the central phenomena of grief, loss, bereavement, and coping. Data analysis occurred simultaneous to data collection; preliminary results suggest nurses feel both personal and professional loss when a patient dies. Conclusion. Once all interview data have been analyzed and specific themes and categories emerge, potential interventions targeting pediatric oncology nurses will be developed for testing in future studies. Implications for research, policy, or practice. Interventions such as grief-reduction workshops or support groups have had limited success. Although the literature acknowledges the stress, distress, and grief, oncology nurses experience, there remains a need to identify and implement effective strategies to minimize distress and relieve the burden of cancer on pediatric oncology nurse.