A cross-case study comparison of Australian metropolitan and regional cancer nurses’ experiences of work-related stressors and supports.

Publication date: Feb 06, 2025

Registered nurses are the largest single professional group working in the field of cancer care and support one of the most vulnerable patient cohorts in the healthcare system. Cancer nurses are known to experience high rates of burnout, but there are significant limitations to current research on the unique stressors experienced by this group of nurses, particularly since the emergence of COVID-19. This study employs the Job Demands Resource Model (JD-R model) to better understand the experiences of Victorian cancer nurses’ work and describe factors which ameliorate burnout and work-related stress. A multiple case study research design was used in this study, with two groups of cancer nurses making up a total of 30 participants, allocated to separate cases bounded by geographical location. A two-phase study of Victorian cancer nurses in metropolitan and regional healthcare services was conducted from 2019 to 2021. Data included field notes and in-depth interviews. Data analysis used a process of elaborative coding, with a pre-conceived coding framework based on the JD-R model. A combination of thematic analysis and storyline analysis was employed to analyse the data. A cross-case analysis of similarities and differences identified the job demands affecting cancer nurses, and conversely, any positive job resources which may buffer these demands. Job demands identified in both cases appeared to have similar causes but were more explicitly linked to poor resourcing in the regional case. Job resources identified in both cases were similar, but it was noted how few job resources were available to buffer the many demands inherent in cancer nurses’ work. This multiple case study found that the work of cancer nurses is high in demands and low in resources. Despite challenging work conditions, findings identified a highly engaged workforce. The job resources identified in this study suggest there are modifiable strategies to cultivate a supportive work environment for cancer nurses.

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Concepts Keywords
Australian Burnout
Burnout Cancer
Covid Job-demands resource model
Nurses Leadership
Professional Nurse
Psychological safety
Regional

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH cancer
disease MESH burnout
disease MESH COVID-19
disease MESH Job Demands
drug DRUGBANK Tropicamide
disease IDO process
disease MESH causes
pathway REACTOME Reproduction
disease MESH end of life
drug DRUGBANK Etoperidone
disease MESH infection
disease MESH anxiety
disease MESH depression
disease MESH psychological stressors
disease IDO role
drug DRUGBANK Trestolone
disease IDO quality
drug DRUGBANK Serine
drug DRUGBANK Cinacalcet
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
disease IDO site
drug DRUGBANK Methionine
disease MESH emotional exhaustion
disease MESH psychological distress
disease MESH morbidities
disease MESH community transmission
disease MESH tics
disease MESH alcohol abuse
drug DRUGBANK Cysteamine
disease IDO history
disease MESH recurrence
drug DRUGBANK Hexadecanal
disease MESH violence
disease MESH compassion fatigue
disease IDO intervention

Original Article

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