Nurse experiences as cancer survivors: part II--professional.
OBJECTIVE
To uncover dimensions of nurses' professional experiences of cancer survivorship.


METHODS
Interpretive, phenomenologic.


METHODS
Metropolitan area in the northeastern United States.


METHODS
25 RNs diagnosed with cancer. Average age was 50 years, and 20 participants were less than five years from initial diagnosis.


METHODS
Interviews. Data were analyzed using the methodology of Newman (1994, 1999) and VanManen (1990).


METHODS
Nurses' professional experiences of cancer survivorship.


RESULTS
Professional experiences of cancer survivorship fell into five themes: (a) role ambiguity, (b) a deepening level of compassion for patients and others, (c) self-disclosure as a therapeutic intervention, (d) becoming an advocate for change, and (e) volunteerism.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer survivorship was a factor in reshaping participants' clinical practice. Experiencing the role of the patient affirmed the necessity of compassionate care for these participants. Nurses experienced a deepening level of compassion for patients and used self-disclosure as a therapeutic intervention. During and shortly after treatment, role ambiguity (being both patient and nurse) could cause difficulties. Nurses took action to change their clinical environment through their influence on colleagues and the healthcare system and by working through other organizations to improve patient care.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurse cancer survivors can benefit from the support of colleagues and healthcare providers and an appreciation of the challenge of being both a professional and a patient. The invitation for dialogue as they return to work may help with the challenges of role ambiguity as nurse cancer survivors. Based on this study, nurses value the opportunity to enhance care environments with their two-world knowledge through compassionate care, disclosure, advocacy, and volunteering, and coworkers need to appreciate each nurse's unique response to this potentially life-changing process. Nurses in all settings can learn from their cancer survivor colleagues who have been the recipients of care to reflect on their own clinical practice in the areas of advocacy, sensitivity to patient concerns, and care experiences.
Picard
Carol
C
Department of Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA. carolpicard@verizon.net
Agretelis
Joan
J
DeMarco
Rosanna F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009729:Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000523:psychology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014838:Volunteers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data