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. 2021 Feb;77(2):910-921.
doi: 10.1111/jan.14639. Epub 2020 Nov 28.

The evolving challenges of specialist gynaecological cancer nurse roles - A qualitative study

Olivia Cook  1 , Katrina Recoche  1 , Meredith McIntyre  1 , Susan Lee  1
Affiliations

The evolving challenges of specialist gynaecological cancer nurse roles - A qualitative study

Olivia Cook et al. J Adv Nurs. 2021 Feb.

Abstract
in English, Chinese

Aims: To determine how specialist gynaecological cancer nurses experience and perceive their role.

Design: An Interpretive Description qualitative study employing semi-structured interview methods was conducted.

Methods: Specialist nurses working in Australia or New Zealand were recruited via the Australia and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group and the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia to contribute to focus group, dyadic and/or individual interviews. Audio-recordings of the interviews were transcribed, de-identified, and subjected to a thematic analysis.

Results: Specialist cancer nurses participated in the study via one focus group interview (N = 6), one dyadic interview (N = 2) and 13 individual interviews between April - August 2016. Three major themes were inductively derived from 19 minor themes: 'Working between worlds' locates the role of the specialist nurse in the provision of gynaecological cancer care; 'The patient's 'go-to' person' highlights participants' relationships with patients; and 'When so much depends on one person' explores the personal and professional impact of working in a specialist nursing role.

Conclusion: Specialist nurses identified themselves as an accessible source of support and expertise for both women with gynaecological cancers throughout their disease trajectory and multidisciplinary team members. The main challenges they faced were the evolving and expanding nature of their bespoke roles and the dependence on them as individuals in these roles. Clearer role boundaries, guidelines for practice, effective professional support, and active succession planning are recommended.

Impact: This study explored the experiences and perceptions of gynaecological oncology specialist nurses. Despite similar roles being in place across many countries for several years, the roles continue to evolve and lack clear definition which is burdensome to their incumbents. This research indicates that it is now time for nursing leaders and the broader nursing profession to delineate scope of practice, standardise nomenclature and practice and embed these roles in nursing career and education pathways.

目的: 调查妇科肿瘤专科护士的经历和对其角色的认识。 设计: 基于半结构化访谈法进行解释性描述定性研究。 方法: 由澳大利亚和新西兰妇科肿瘤小组和澳大利亚癌症护士协会招募在澳大利亚或新西兰工作的妇科肿瘤专科护士,组成焦点小组、进行二元访谈或个人访谈。对采访音频进行转录、鉴定并进行主题分析。 结果: 这项研究于2016年4月至8月期间进行,参与的妇科肿瘤专科护士进行了1次焦点小组访谈(N = 6)、1次二元访谈(N = 2)和13次个人访谈。从19个副主题中归纳出3个主题:“在世俗间工作”决定了妇科肿瘤专科护士在妇科肿瘤护理方面的角色;“患者‘有事请找护士’’”突出了妇科肿瘤专科护士与患者的关系,“全靠一个人”探讨了从事专科护理工作对个人和职业的影响。 结论: 妇科肿瘤专科护士认为自己的角色作用在于,不仅在妇科肿瘤患者的整个患病过程中为其提供支持和专业知识,也为多科室综合团队的成员提供帮助和专业知识。她们所面临的主要挑战在于其界定角色的演变和扩大,以及扮演这样的角色对于其个体能力的依赖。建议界定更清晰的角色界限、制定执业指南、提供有效的职业支持以及实施积极的后续计划。 影响: 本研究探讨了妇科肿瘤专科护士的经历和观点。尽管在许多国家,类似角色已经存在多年,但仍在不断演变且缺乏明确的定义,这对在职者来说是一种负担。本研究表明,护理界的决策者以及整个护理界目前应该尽快界定执业范围,将命名与执业内容标准化,并将护士的多种角色嵌入到护理事业和护士的教育培养过程中。.

Keywords: Clinical Nurse Specialist; advanced practice nursing; cancer nursing; gynaecological cancers; nursing workforce.

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