Exploring the Experiences of Oncology Nurses about the Factors Facilitating their Presence at the Bedside of Patients with Cancer: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: The presence of nurses at patients' bedside is regarded as an indication of the quality of care. There is not enough evidence on facilitators of nurses' presence at cancer patients' bedside. AIM: The present study aimed to investigate nurses' experiences of factors facilitating their presence at patients' bedside in oncology ward. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this qualitative study, data were collected using purposeful sampling and semi-structured individual interviews with 25 oncology nurses from two teaching hospitals in Sari, Northern Iran, between 2016 and 2017. Interviews were digitally recorded, handwritten, coded, classified, and analyzed using conventional content analysis approach. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the development of three main categories and seven subcategories. The first category, namely, “leverage spirituality” with two subcategories (motivational beliefs and religious motives). “Being with patient with compassion and commitment” is the second category with two subcategories (sense of altruism and compassionate care and adherence to the profession). The third category is “effective communication” with three subcategories (initial methods being patient, soothing communication, and intimate communication). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that nurses' spiritual beliefs, kindness, and professional commitment and establishing human-friendly relationships with the patient and family would help the nurses of the oncology unit to have a more effective presence in the patients' bed. It seems that further studies are needed to examine the facilitators of the presence of oncology nurses on patients' bedside based on severity of illness.