From Patient to Provider: The Lived Experience of Pediatric Oncology Survivors Who Work as Pediatric Oncology Nurses.

There is little known about the experiences of former pediatric oncology patients that are currently working as pediatric oncology nurses. Literature reviews yielded no direct research studies involving this group of nurses. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of these former oncology patients that are now oncology nurses. Eleven pediatric oncology nurses were interviewed for this study, and the following themes emerged: Awe and Awkwardness, Guilt and Gratitude, Sharing My Story, Wanting to Remember/Wanting to Forget, and Past Treatment/Current Challenges. The results of this study demonstrate the unique challenges these survivors face as they transition into their professional roles. Information about these nurses' experiences is important when considering their education and support throughout their careers.

Developing the Evidence Base in Pediatric Oncology Nursing Practice for Promoting Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Oncology Patients.

Research has shown that self-esteem and hopefulness are positively related among female childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and contribute to their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). HRQOL remains a significant outcome of treatment for CCS. This study examined the relationships among self-esteem, hopefulness, and HRQOL in young adult female CCS to inform the development of evidence-based practice guidelines for pediatric oncology nursing practice. An online survey was conducted with a sample of young adult female CCS from 58 treatment centers across the United States at 4 time points: at baseline and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after initial measurement time. The relationships between self-esteem, hopefulness, and HRQOL were statistically significant (Time 1, P = .05; Times 2, 3, and 4, P = .01) across all measurement times. These findings identify hopefulness and self-esteem as determinants of HRQOL and suggest that caring practices among pediatric oncology nurses that support psychosocial adjustment through promoting self-esteem and hopefulness have the potential to support HRQOL among young adult female CCS. These outcomes support the development of evidence-based practice guidelines to influence HRQOL outcomes among these survivors.

From Chemo to College: The College Experience of Childhood Cancer Survivors.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how childhood cancer survivors experience college life. Five undergraduate students who are childhood cancer survivors, aged 19 to 22 years, participated in a 75-minute focus group interview. The survivors attended the same university located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. A transcript-based content analysis was used to analyze the data. Four themes and 2 subthemes were generated from the data analysis. Survivors described that the emotional growth they experienced from their cancer experience has provided them some psychological protection in managing the day-to-day challenges of college life and in making informed choices about engaging in high-risk behaviors. As a result of their cancer experience, the findings suggest that these childhood cancer survivors have a strong foundation of self-awareness and self-worth, which has assisted them in making a successful transition into college life and in enjoying positive collegiate experiences.

Pediatric oncology nurse and grief education: a telephone survey.

There has been an increased interest in the grief experiences of nurses. Unacknowledged, unaddressed compound grief can have devastating consequences on professional nurses and the patients and families under their care. A telephone survey was conducted using the current Children's Oncology Group institutions in the United States to ascertain what education and support is available to pediatric oncology nurses regarding professional grief. Three questions were asked of the person contacted at the participating institutions regarding grief education during orientation, grief education beyond orientation, and support mechanisms for staff experiencing professional grief. Out of the 176 eligible Children's Oncology Group institutions that were invited to participate in the survey, 78 institutions participated. The analysis of the results concluded that support for pediatric oncology nurses is often informal and sporadic and that education regarding professional grief is often nonexistent or very limited in its content.

Between being cured and being healed: the paradox of childhood cancer survivorship.

In this article, we describe how young adults who are transitioning off treatment for childhood cancer and beginning early survivorship are living in what might be described as a paradox of reality. These survivors' dual reality is their experience of intense frustration with their current state of functioning, and an overwhelming relief that therapy is over and that they survived. They have feelings of fear, trepidation, and anxiety for what experiences lay ahead, but have hope for the future. Finally, they acknowledge the growth they achieved through the experience of cancer treatment, as well as the many missed opportunities to experience normalcy while undergoing therapy. Young adults who are in early cancer survivorship exist in a reality in which they are living disease free, but perceive themselves as having a long road to travel to be healed.