Impact of the Practice Environment on Oncology and Hematology Nurses

Abstract

Background Practice environments have a significant impact on nurses’ practice and their retention within the oncology and hematology specialty. Understanding how specific elements of the practice environment impact nurse outcomes is important for creating supportive and safe practice environments. Objective To evaluate the impact of the practice environment on oncology and hematology nurses. Methods A scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR Statement Guidelines. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Google Scholar, and Scopus) were searched using key terms. Articles were assessed according to the eligibility criteria. Data extraction was conducted with results explained through descriptive analysis. Results One thousand seventy-eight publications were screened with 32 publications meeting the inclusion criteria. The 6 elements of the practice environment (workload, leadership, collegial relations, participation, foundations, and resources) were found to significantly impact nurses’ job satisfaction, psychological well-being, levels of burnout, and intention to leave. Negative practice environment elements were linked to increased levels of job dissatisfaction, higher levels of burnout, greater prevalence of psychological distress, and greater intention to leave both oncology and hematology nursing and the nursing profession. Conclusions The practice environment has a significant impact on nurses, their job satisfaction, well-being, and intention to stay. This review will inform future research and forthcoming practice change to provide oncology and hematology nurses with practice environments that are safe and lead to positive nurse outcomes. Implications for Practice This review provides a foundation upon which to develop and implement tailored interventions that best support oncology and hematology nurses to remain in practice and provide high-quality care.