Psychosocial nursing care for adolescents with cancer

Psychosocial care for adolescents who have cancer acknowledges the growth and developmental tasks they are mastering within the context of the experience of cancer. This article discusses developmentally focused approaches to providing care for adolescents with cancer. These include establishing trust, understanding, being present, setting mutual goals, and providing social support. Pediatric oncology nurses who practice in inpatient and outpatient care settings are in an ideal position to support continued psychosocial growth and development of adolescents with cancer because of the intimate and sustained contact they have with them.