Nurse autonomy in cancer care

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Oncology Nursing
• Professional Autonomy

Background:

• Autonomy is crucial for professional status but poorly defined in nursing.
• Limited research exists on how nurses in different specialties perceive autonomy.
• Understanding nurse autonomy is vital for nursing knowledge and work-life relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore oncology nurses' perceptions of autonomy.
• To understand how oncology nurses develop and exhibit autonomy in practice.

Main Methods:

• Employed Leininger's ethnonursing method.
• Conducted semistructured interviews with 15 oncology nurses.
• Utilized participant observation through job shadowing.

Main Results:

• Autonomy is viewed as an unspoken workplace opportunity.
• Autonomy develops through professional and personal growth over time.
• Demonstrating autonomous behaviors is a conscious choice.

Conclusions:

• Findings illuminate how oncology nurses perceive, develop, and exhibit autonomy.
• Autonomous and collaborative decision-making enhances quality cancer care.
• Descriptive studies can identify measurable nurse behaviors and attitudes related to autonomy.