title: Cancer patients' perceptions of the good nurse: a literature review.
abstract: This article discusses findings from a mixed method literature review that investigated cancer patients' perceptions of what constitutes a good nurse. To find pertinent articles, we conducted a systematic key word search of five journal databases (1998-2008). The application of carefully constructed inclusion criteria and critical appraisal identified 12 relevant articles. According to the patients, good nurses were shown to be characterized by specific, but inter-related, attitudes, skills and knowledge; they engage in person-to-person relationships, respect the uniqueness of patients, and provide support. Professional and trained skills as well as broad and specific nursing and non-nursing knowledge are important. The analysis revealed that these characteristics nurtured patient well-being, which manifests as optimism, trust, hope, support, confirmation, safety and comfort. Cancer patients' perceptions of what constitutes a good nurse represent an important source of knowledge that will enable the development of more comprehensive and practice-based views on good nursing care for such patients. These perceptions help us to understand how nurses effectively make a difference in cancer patient care.
authors: Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Rchaidia
authors: Bernadette
authors: B
authors: Dierckx de Casterlé
authors: Liesbeth
authors: L
authors: De Blaeser
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Gastmans
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D032781:Codes of Ethics; D004645:Empathy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D012449:Safety; D012944:Social Support; D035502:Trust