Experiences of early-career nurses working in specialist adolescent/young adult cancer units: A narrative inquiry

Abstract

Aim: To explore the experiences of early-career registered nurses working in specialist adolescent/young adult cancer units. Design: Narrative Inquiry. Methods: A purposive sample of nine early-career registered nurses from six specialist adolescent/young adult cancer units in the United Kingdom participated in online in-depth narrative conversations between October 2020 and January 2021. Data were analysed thematically using Clandinin and Connelly's (2000) metaphorical three-dimensional narrative inquiry approach focussed on commonplaces of temporality, sociality and place. Results: The intensity and complexity of the nursing work associated with young patients and their families, over protracted periods, impacted the nurses personally and professionally. The similarity of age between patients and nurses was shown as having benefits as well as posing risks. The complexity of four types of nursing labour was highlighted: emotional, cognitive, physical and organizational providing justification for the provision of specialist training and support. Conclusion: This study presents unique insights into the complex work of early-career nurses in specialist units that reveal challenges in caring for the distinct needs of this cancer patient population. Impact Statement: Better understanding of the experience of adolescent/young adult nursing work is revealed. Nurse managers could use these findings to consider the level of expertise on cancer units and ensure a spread of ages and experience. Managers and funders should also consider the clinical supervision and well-being needs of nurses so that they can thrive in these unique environments. Educators could use findings to develop curricula and reinforce messages of self-care, reflection and boundary management. The findings of this study may be transferable to other areas where early-career nurses care for younger age groups. Public and Patient Engagement and Involvement in Research Statement: No patient or public contribution was requested or required as this research wanted to examine nurses' experiences and not those of patients or the public.