Use of research-based practices by oncology staff nurses.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Cross-sectional mail survey.


METHODS
National.


METHODS
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.


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


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Rutledge
D N
DN
Patient Services, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Greene
P
P
Mooney
K
K
Nail
L M
LM
Ropka
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000193:education; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States