A COMPARISON OF THE STRESS - RESPONSE SEQUENCE IN NEW AND EXPERIENCEDPEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY NURSES

Oncology nurses experience a variety of occupational stresses. Differe nt support measures have been provided for these nurses, but with mixe d effects. This is likely because exact stressors, reactions, and cons equences of the stressors differ among groups of oncology nurses, and a support measure appropriate for one group may be ineffective for ano ther group. The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the specific components of the stress-response sequence in new and experie nced pediatric oncology nurses. Twenty-five nurses participated in gui ded interviews; nine of these comprised a new nurse orientation group, and 14 nurses were randomly selected from all nurses in the setting w ho had been in the specialty a minimum of 18 months. The new nurses we re interviewed at 3, 6, and 12 months posthire, and the experienced nu rses were interviewed one time. Interview data were content analyzed, and codes and definitions were developed for each component of the str ess-response sequence. Distinct differences in stressors, reactions, a nd consequences were noted between new nurses who resigned before the 12th month of employment and those who did not, and between new nurses and experienced nurses; new nurses had few coping reactions, and thei r most common reaction was resignation. Experienced nurses had a great er number and different types of coping reactions and more positive co nsequences. Descriptive profiles were developed from the codes and can be used as a basis for tailored support measures for pediatric oncolo gy nurses.