ABSTRACT
When nurse researcher Marlene Kramer published Reality Shock: Why Nurses Leave Nursing in 1974, her seminal work launched a national discussion related to the distress felt by many baccalaureate-prepared novice nurses about leaving the academic setting and transitioning to the clinical setting. In particular, Kramer (1974) highlighted conflict between the values these new nurses had been taught in school and the reality of practicing as a professional nurse in a clinical setting. For example, in an educational setting, nursing students may focus on one or two patients at a time, whereas in the clinical setting, nurses must practice simultaneously with multiple patients with varied and numerous health deficits. This conflict is felt acutely by novice and experienced oncology nurses who are tasked with providing quality physical care, as well as emotional care and support to patients with cancer and their familiesâ©.
Subject(s)
Oncology Nursing , Humans , Oncology Nursing/standardsABSTRACT
Choosing between lumpectomy with radiation versus mastectomy is difficult for women with early-stage breast cancer, and doubt can decrease women's confidence and satisfaction. As a result, the current study surveyed satisfaction before and after surgery in a convenience sample of women with early-stage breast cancer from a single practice. All women received either total mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiation based on their informed choice of surgical options. The surgeon and the principal investigator educated patients about both surgeries at the time of consent. Participants answered a survey about satisfaction with their decision making before their chosen surgical procedure and again by telephone six months later. Participants felt that they had made an informed choice at the time of decision (87%) and at follow-up (93%). In addition, most women were satisfied with their choice of surgical procedure at time of decision (87%) as well as six months after surgery (96%). This study allowed women to significantly participate in their care through surgical decision making, which improved satisfaction. Nurses are uniquely positioned to support women with early-stage breast cancer in their decision-making process.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Decision Making , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Patient Satisfaction , Stress, Psychological , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Choice Behavior , Confidence Intervals , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Mastectomy/psychology , Mastectomy, Segmental/psychology , Middle AgedABSTRACT
This pilot study measured participants' comfort with their decision making to have a lumpectomy and radiation or total mastectomy to treat their breast cancer. Findings showed 87% of the patients believed they had made an informed choice and were satisfied with their decision making regarding their surgical procedure selection.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Decision Making , Mastectomy/methods , Patient Preference , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arizona , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Conflict, Psychological , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant , Surveys and QuestionnairesSubject(s)
Databases as Topic , Information Services , Internet , Humans , Information Storage and Retrieval , NursingABSTRACT
Today's medical-surgical nurse working in the hospital, clinic, or community needs to understand the diverse diagnostic screening tools used to screen and evaluate breast cancer in the United States. Risk assessment models, mammography, ultrasound, breast MRI, genetic testing, and cancer prevention are discussed.
