Abstract
Purpose: Intense emotional demands of oncology nursing creates a stressful work environment and increases the likelihood of leaving nursing. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how pediatric hematology/oncology nurses use their spirituality to cope with job stress, maintain spiritual well-being (SWB) and continue to work in this subspecialty. Method: A concurrent mixed method research design was employed consisting of a web-based survey and an interview. Data collection included demographics, four valid and reliable research instruments that measured spirituality, stress, coping and SWB, and intent to leave questions. Qualitative interviews were directed by a responsive interview guide. Results: Quantitative analysis (n = 130) revealed moderate to high levels of spirituality, moderate stress, coping and SWB. Only 5.4% of participants reported an intent to leave in the next year. Correlations indicated a weak positive relationship between coping and SWB (r = .248, p = .005) and weak negative relationship between stress and SWB (r = -.221, p = .011). A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that 25.3% of the variance in SWB was explained by the model (personal, situational, stress and coping factors). Religion was the only variable that had a strong statistically significant relationship throughout the model steps 1-4 and coping was second highest in model 4. Emerging themes from the qualitative data (n = 22) included faith-informed or existential spirituality; work environment and emotional/psychological stressors; and coping through self-care and spirituality. Dimensions of SWB included spiritually based coping and meaning and purpose in life. Intent to leave themes were not related to patient care but rather to work environment or travel distance. Conclusion: A nurse’s spirituality offers a mechanism for coping with accumulated losses and grief encountered in clinical practice, and in turn supports spiritual well-being.