The meaning of peak and nadir experiences of pediatric oncology nurses: secondary analysis

This article explores the meanings pediatric oncology nurses derive from their work role and describes the process by which nurses create meaning. This was a secondary analysis of data from a qualitative study that examines peak and nadir experiences and their consequences in pediatric oncology nurses. A semistructured interview was used to gather data from a sample of 26 nurses at a pediatric cancer treatment center. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed Content analysis was used in the primary study to identify themes and characteristics of the peak and nadir experiences and their consequences. Constant comparative analysis revealed emerging categories of significant meaning for pediatric oncology nurses. These categories included relating to others; experiencing life, death and dying; being aware of self as nurse; and experiencing diminishing qualities of the nursing situation. Through a process of giving and receiving, the nurses were able to find fulfillment in giving care to children with cancer.