A description of oncology nurses' working conditions in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the problems about working conditions, employee rights and working life of oncology nurses in Turkey who administer cytotoxic drugs and to determine whether or not the existing practices are appropriate with national laws, comparing the current practices in private, university and government hospitals.

Method: The study was designed as an analytic descriptive survey. The research settings took place in nine hospitals of Istanbul, Turkey. The participants were 171 nurses who worked in oncology units and administered cytotoxic drugs. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which was developed by the investigators to determine working conditions of oncology nurses.

Findings: The oncology nurses overworked, had insufficient time off work, did not receive compensation for overtime work, would not be protected if they were pregnant or breastfeeding, and faced deficiencies in occupational health and safety.

Conclusions and recommendations: Oncology nurses were exposed to working conditions that were only partly appropriate with national laws and International Labor Organization standards for health care workers were disregarded. Nurses need to be educated during the preparation and administration of chemotherapy drugs and protection against exposure as soon as possible. Chemotherapic drugs need to be prepared in a hood (biological safety cabin), but when unavailable minimal protection measures, including aprons, goggles, masks and latex gloves, need to be worn.