Workforce Recommendations to Address Distress and Burnout in Australian Children's Cancer Nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Oncology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Pediatric cancer nursing is a demanding profession requiring significant emotional support for families.
• Nurses in this field face high stress levels due to the nature of their work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing job satisfaction in pediatric cancer nurses across Australia.
• To gather recommendations for addressing workplace challenges faced by these nurses.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to pediatric cancer nurses in Australia (November 2021 - February 2022).
• The survey comprised 68 items on job satisfaction, work environment, and professional development, including free-text responses.
• Quantitative and qualitative data from 113 nurses were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Key predictors of job satisfaction included professional development opportunities, utilization of full skill sets, and organizational leadership.
• Nurses expressed a need for improved leadership, workload recognition, and enhanced professional development support.
• Intent to remain in the profession was also a significant factor.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing organizational leadership and professional growth opportunities are crucial for improving pediatric cancer nurse job satisfaction.
• Evidence-based interventions and policy changes focusing on leadership and development are recommended.
• These improvements are vital for nurse well-being and the quality of pediatric cancer care.