Wading Through Misery, Hope and Beauty in Caring For Cancer Patients: Experiences of Oncology Nurses

Nurses are often engaged in providing care for patients who are diagnosed with terminal illness and are faced with the process of dying. Working with these patients and families can be emotionally demanding and challenging. Nurses ought to meet the challenge of developing and rendering effective interventions for cancer patients, focusing predominantly on health promotion, end-oflife care, and above all, the four domains of health-related quality of life: physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual functioning. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) interventions can empower patients to practice health behaviors and facilitate them to be selfdirected in their care; thereby contributing substantially to their quality of life. This study aimed to describe and understand the „lived‟ experiences of oncology nurses in providing health-related quality of life interventions among cancer patients. The study was conducted using descriptive phenomenological method and data was generated through one-on-one audio-recorded interview with ten oncology nurses Colaizzi‟s [1] procedural interpretation of the phenomenological method of inquiry was used for data coding and identifying themes. Methods to ensure trustworthiness of the findings were implemented. Three themes with 14 sub-themes were identified. Results of the study showed that health-related quality of life interventions were essential in nursing care among cancer patients. It was suggested that the manner in which cancer patients‟ quality of life improves through HRQoL interventions should be further studied. In addition, it may be of value for nursing leaders to provide specified training programs for oncology nurses working on issues relevant to the HRQoL intervention skills.