Changing the role of the nurse in the hematology-oncology outpatient setting

Changing healthcare economics, advances in technology, and consumer preferences have escalated the growth of outpatient hematology-oncology services and expanded the scope of professional decision making. Currently, 80%-90% of cancer care is delivered in the outpatient setting. Moreover, third-party payers are encouraging an even greater frequency of out-of-hospital hematology-oncology services. Oncology nurses are in key positions to change the outpatient healthcare setting in ways that promote quality care and improved use of professional nursing knowledge and expertise. This article describes a nurse manager's use of Lewinian theory to develop and implement plans for needed change in an outpatient Hematology-Oncology Department.