The changing pressures for cancer nurses 1986-93

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Abstract
Over the last decade in the United Kingdom there have been changes in the delivery of health care, technical advances in medicine, and rising public expectations for health care, all situations which effect nurses caring for cancer patients. Nursing cancer patients has frequently been described as stressful. In order to limit stress, it is necessary to monitor nurses' perceptions of its causes. This paper focuses on three studies which have identified cancer nurses' stressors between 1986 and 1993. Although no firm conclusions can be drawn from these results there is evidence to suggest sources of stress have changed. Work overload, lack of resources and staff shortages now seem to be major concerns for nurses. Conflicts with health-care workers (in particular doctors) has decreased, possibly due to improvements in pain and symptom control management. Patients' deterioration and death continues to cause nurses concern. Job satisfaction remains high, but it has declined since 1986. In order to maintain quality care for cancer patients it will be necessary to continue to provide good staff support, stress management and education in cancer care.