Intrinsic Factors as to Why Advanced Practice Providers Stay in Oncology.

Purpose: To describe intrinsic factors influencing role retention of oncology advanced practice providers (APPs).

Participants and setting: The current study examined 66 advanced practice RNs and three physician assistants completing a palliative care course for oncology providers offered by the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium through a grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Methodologic approach: Participants were asked "Why do you stay?" on the final course evaluation. Deidentified qualitative responses were sorted using thematic content analysis to identify key themes affecting oncology APP retention.

Findings: Five themes emerged from the analysis: calling/passion, personal or family history, people with cancer, challenging work/making a difference, and relationships with the oncology team.

Implications for practice: Despite the essential role of oncology APPs, little is known about what is important to them and what keeps them in the profession, particularly in the current healthcare environment. Stakeholders concerned about delivering quality cancer care must recognize the values and meaning that oncology APPs ascribe to their roles to support and retain this essential workforce. Understanding these factors will inform leaders of the issues that affect and cultivate the work of oncology APPs.