Reflections of Prelicensure Nursing Students in a Novel Oncology Elective
Disciplines
Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Despite significant advancements in oncological diagnostics and care, the nursing shortage has placed a heavy burden on oncology nurses, leading to high turnover rates that can affect patient treatment. As key providers of cancer care, oncology nurses play a critical role in patient outcomes, yet the shortage significantly impacts the quality of care and the time available for each patient. Lack of exposure and interest in oncology nursing are key reasons as to why nursing students are vastly avoiding the specialty. An elective oncology course was designed to provide students with hands-on experience caring for patients with cancer, aiming to inspire them to specialize in oncology. This research aimed to examine students' experiences in an elective oncology course and identify key factors that may influence new nursing graduates to pursue the oncology practice setting. A focus group consisting of nine nursing students enrolled in an oncology elective was conducted to meet the study aim. The audio transcript of the focus group was analyzed via qualitative content analysis, where the responses were coded into distinct categories, subcategories, and themes. Four categorical themes with accompanying sub-categories emerged from the data analysis: "Unit Shadowing Reflections," which includes detailed experiences from partnering with various oncology departments; "Pragmatic Learning," encompassing the experiential aspects of coursework; "Course Structure," highlighting the class atmosphere and hands-on learning; and "Diverse Assignment Perspectives," reflecting varied opinions on in-class assignments. Finding from this pilot study underscores the value of incorporating oncology-specific education into prelicensure nursing programs to enhance awareness of the specialty and inspire interest in oncology nursing. Through thoughtfully designed experiential learning experiences in both classroom and clinical settings, students engaged with diverse patient populations, treatment approaches, and nursing roles, broadening their understanding and enthusiasm for oncology care. Further large-scale research is necessary.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Tracy Ruegg
Reflections of Prelicensure Nursing Students in a Novel Oncology Elective
Despite significant advancements in oncological diagnostics and care, the nursing shortage has placed a heavy burden on oncology nurses, leading to high turnover rates that can affect patient treatment. As key providers of cancer care, oncology nurses play a critical role in patient outcomes, yet the shortage significantly impacts the quality of care and the time available for each patient. Lack of exposure and interest in oncology nursing are key reasons as to why nursing students are vastly avoiding the specialty. An elective oncology course was designed to provide students with hands-on experience caring for patients with cancer, aiming to inspire them to specialize in oncology. This research aimed to examine students' experiences in an elective oncology course and identify key factors that may influence new nursing graduates to pursue the oncology practice setting. A focus group consisting of nine nursing students enrolled in an oncology elective was conducted to meet the study aim. The audio transcript of the focus group was analyzed via qualitative content analysis, where the responses were coded into distinct categories, subcategories, and themes. Four categorical themes with accompanying sub-categories emerged from the data analysis: "Unit Shadowing Reflections," which includes detailed experiences from partnering with various oncology departments; "Pragmatic Learning," encompassing the experiential aspects of coursework; "Course Structure," highlighting the class atmosphere and hands-on learning; and "Diverse Assignment Perspectives," reflecting varied opinions on in-class assignments. Finding from this pilot study underscores the value of incorporating oncology-specific education into prelicensure nursing programs to enhance awareness of the specialty and inspire interest in oncology nursing. Through thoughtfully designed experiential learning experiences in both classroom and clinical settings, students engaged with diverse patient populations, treatment approaches, and nursing roles, broadening their understanding and enthusiasm for oncology care. Further large-scale research is necessary.