Nurses' adaptation instrument in the oncology wards: Development and psychometric testing

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Oncology
• Psychology

Background:

• Societal culture and beliefs significantly influence the understanding of adaptation.
• A clear definition of the problem requires knowledge of various dimensions impacting nurse adaptation in oncology.
• The absence of a standardized tool for the Iranian societal context necessitates the development of a culturally relevant instrument.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a nurse adaptation tool specifically for oncology departments in Iran.
• To address the lack of a culturally appropriate instrument for assessing nurse adaptation within the Iranian healthcare system.

Main Methods:

• A methodological, exploratory mixed-methods study was conducted in three phases: conceptualization, item development, and field testing.
• Qualitative methodology with conventional content analysis was used for inductive conceptualization.
• Instrument validation included face, content, and construct validity assessments, with exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha for reliability.

Main Results:

• The Oncology Nurse Adaptation Questionnaire comprises twenty items across four dimensions: emotional factors, supportive factors, work-related ward factors, and job condition factors.
• The instrument demonstrated strong reliability, with Cronbach's alpha exceeding 0.7 for each dimension and 0.82 for the overall questionnaire.
• Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the construct validity and suitability of the sampling.

Conclusions:

• The developed questionnaire serves as a practical tool for assessing oncology nurse adaptation.
• Findings can inform improvements in nurses' working conditions and facilities, leading to enhanced individual interventions.
• Ultimately, the tool supports the provision of high-quality patient care in oncology settings.