Asian Oncol Nurs.  2014 Dec;14(4):236-248. 10.5388/aon.2014.14.4.236.

The Job Experience of Oncology Nurse Specialists

• Tae YS
• Kwon S
• Lee YS

• KMID: 2269446
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2014.14.4.236

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the job experiences of oncology nurse specialists.
METHODS
Nine oncology nurse specialists participated in the study. Data were collected through in-depth unstructured interviews with individual participants from February to June, 2014. Theoretical sampling was used to the point of theoretical saturation. Data were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss's grounded theory method.
RESULTS
From open coding, 98 concepts, 24 sub-categories, and 11 categories were identified. Analysis revealed that the core category of the job experiences of oncology nurse specialists was 'tightrope walking of professionalism without safeguards', consisting of four phases: Enthusiastic beginning, conflict, exertion, and internalization. To manage the 'tightrope walking of professionalism without safeguards', participants utilized various action/interactional strategies such as 'keeping the balance point' and 'taking a step forward.' As a result, participants experienced falling into a habitual routine and professional self-actualization.
CONCLUSION
In-depth understanding of the job experiences of oncology nurse specialists will guide hospital administrators to promote effective interventions and policies to better support Korean oncology nurse specialists.

Keyword

Nurse Clinicians; Oncology Nursing; Qualitative Research

MeSH Terms

Clinical Coding
Hospital Administrators
Humans
Nurse Clinicians
Oncology Nursing
Qualitative Research
Specialization*
Walking

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The Process of Tightrope Walking of Professionalism without Safeguards

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