Congress Abstracts 2003

12

SAFEGUARDING AN ENDANGERED SPECIES: SUSTAINING THE HEART, MIND, AND SPIRIT OF THE ONCOLOGY CAREGIVER. Rebecca Crane-Okada, PhD, RN, AOCN^®, Rosalyn Eig, MSW, BCD, Phillip Williams, BSN, RN, and Shirley Edwards, MSN, RN, AOCN^®, Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, CA.

The confluence of complex patients, fast pace, and physical and emotional demands of an oncology unit have a profound effect on nursing staff. Attention to issues that adversely affect staff is paramount in the environment of a nursing shortage. Preventing the emotional disconnect that can arise from staff caregiver fatigue is one strategy to retain dedicated oncology nurses and support staff. The inpatient oncology unit staff of an urban community hospital, affiliated with a large cancer research program, verbalized a need to explore new ways to manage their stress and understand their emotions. In response to this need, and staff responses to a brief survey, social work and oncology nursing leadership designed a 6-topic, 8-session program in alternating weeks to accommodate 12-hour shift personnel. Since its inception in July 2001, 39 sessions have been held. The underlying purpose of the program was to create a forum in which staff, nurtured in a safe holding environment where rules of confidentiality were observed, could acquire insights, self knowledge, and awareness, in turn improving their ability to work better with each other and patients. Each 30-minute session opened and closed with a meditation, and included a brief presentation, open discussion, and time to draw or write personal thoughts. Reflections on dreams, memories, imagination, and breathing exercises were presented as self-care tools staff could also use with patients. Staff evaluated each session on a visual analog scale (100-mm with verbal anchors) for both personal value and applicability of content in practice, and had the option of adding narrative thoughts about the sessions or future topics. A summary of the overall positive evaluations from a total of 400 in attendance over all sessions, as well as other unexpected consequences will be presented. The health center, by lending full support for this ongoing program, is fostering an atmosphere where preservation, growth, and development of the oncology staff caregiver are a priority. This program may serve as a model for others seeking creative solutions for safeguarding an endangered species.