Using Data to Strengthen Ambulatory Oncology Nursing Practice

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Nursing Workforce Management

Background:

• Current quality of care measures inadequately address ambulatory oncology settings.
• There's a need to identify factors influencing nurse job satisfaction and turnover specific to ambulatory care.
• A supportive practice environment is crucial for high-quality patient care and nurse retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the work environment for nurses and nurse practitioners in a comprehensive cancer center.
• To identify patterns and correlates of the ambulatory oncology nursing work environment.

Main Methods:

• Web-based surveys were distributed to registered nurses and support staff in ambulatory oncology settings.
• Validated instruments, including the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index and Safety Organizing Scale, were used.
• Logistic and linear regression analyses examined associations between work environment factors and outcomes like job satisfaction and intention to leave.

Main Results:

• A high response rate (79.2%) was achieved with 319 participants.
• A majority reported excellent quality of care (57.7%), job satisfaction (69.3%), and intent to stay (77.4%).
• Positive nurse-physician relationships were significantly associated with all measured outcomes and safety behaviors, though variations in practice environments were noted.

Conclusions:

• Work environment assessments are valuable tools for retaining experienced nurses in ambulatory oncology.
• Regular assessment of the nursing work environment is feasible and provides critical insights for practice improvement.
• Fostering positive collegial relationships is essential for enhancing job satisfaction and patient care quality.