Oncology nursing protocols: a step toward autonomy

Many professional nurses see the lack of autonomy, an essential element in the definition of a professional, as a deterrent to achieving true professional status. Autonomy in nursing is seen in the context of self-governance, shared governance, and nurses' participation in the decision-making process with regard to patient care problems and/or responses to care. To promote staff nurses' decision-making participation and increase their responsibility and accountability on a 32-bed oncology unit, Oncology Nursing Protocols were developed and implemented.