Meanings of the Feelings and Thoughts on Children’s Hematology and Oncology Service Nurses’ Experience: A Qualitative Study

AIM: This study aimed to analyze the feelings and thoughts related to working in the pediatric hematology–oncology unit of the nurses who have worked in this unit in the past, related and the meanings they attribute to it. METHOD: In this qualitative study, 15 nurses between the age of 29 and 53 years, who had previously worked in the pediatric hematology–oncology unit and left the unit, were interviewed in depth. The interviews were held using a semi-structured interview form. Each interview lasted for 35 to 45 minutes. RESULTS: In the study, 5 main themes and sub-themes related to these were identified from the perspective of the nurses with working experience in the pediatric hematology–oncology unit in the past with regard to their feelings and thoughts about this experience. These included 1) feelings: (a) fear and anxiety, (b) desperation, mercy, and guilt, (c) exhaustion, and (d) longing; 2) coping; 3) professional attributions; 4) meanings related to life; and 5) unmet requirements and suggestions. CONCLUSION: Working in the pediatric hematology–oncology unit should be considered as a multi-dimensional condition that causes nurses to experience a wide variety of feelings and affects their perspectives on the profession and life. These findings can be used to strengthen the nurses working in hematology–oncology unit.