Burnout and work engagement in advanced practice cancer nurses: A scoping review

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the job demands, resources and outcomes of burnout and work engagement in advanced practice cancer nurses.

Methods

A scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. Six databases, including CINAHL (EBSCO), Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database and grey literature were searched for studies published in English between January 2000 and January 2024. A descriptive analysis and qualitative content analysis were conducted to analyse the data.

Results

A total of 2344 articles were screened for eligibility, and 28 were selected for inclusion. Four broad themes were identified: (i) job demands, (ii) job resources, (iii) negative outcomes and (iv) positive outcomes in relation to the advanced practice cancer nurses’ work environment and practices. A total of 31 job demands, 22 job resources, 9 negative and 12 positive outcomes were identified. Three studies reported higher burnout among advanced practice cancer nurses, while no studies provided data on work engagement.

Conclusion

Higher job demands lead to negative outcomes, which could affect advanced practice cancer nurses’ overall performance and well-being. The evidence for the relationship of job demands and resources with burnout and work engagement is inconclusive. Further research is needed to address the influence of job demands and resources on burnout and work engagement of advanced practice cancer nurses.