Use of research-based practices by oncology staff nurses

Abstract

Purpose/objectives: To determine the extent to which oncology staff nurses adopted eight specific research-based practices and the impact of demographic and resource factors on adoption of these practices.

Design: Cross-sectional mail survey.

Setting: National.

Sample: 1,100.

Methods: Network sampling techniques: 2,000 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) staff nurses were randomly and proportionally selected from seven practice setting categories; each ONS nurse was asked to recruit a non-ONS staff nurse colleague. Both groups completed the Oncology Nursing Practice Questionnaire, which measures adoption of eight research-based practices.

Main research variables: Extent of adoption, including awareness, persuasion, and implementation of eight specific practices; nurse demographics; and work-related resources.

Findings: Awareness was high, with 53%-96% of nurses reporting awareness of the eight practices. Overall, 28% were aware of all practices while 10% were aware of half or fewer. Less-aware nurses differed from other nurses in demographics and resources. Computed "extent of adoption" scores showed that almost 90% of aware nurses used seven of the practices at least sometimes.

Conclusions: Oncology staff nurses with awareness of a practice were implementing the practice in their organization.

Implications for nursing practice: The findings establish a need for developing educational programs to enhance awareness of specific practices and to creatively reach nurses who are unlikely to seek programs outside their employing agencies.