Abstract:
Chemotherapy drugs are known to cause cancer, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and mutation, reproductive health toxicities, organ toxicities and an insult to a developing embryo and foetus. Specially trained nurses administer these agents to patients who have cancer. With the increasing number of cancer patients, the demand for nurses to administer chemotherapy is also growing. These drugs are known to cause adverse effects in patients who receive them, and in nurses who are exposed to them. In New Zealand, no literature can be located that explores nurses’ perceptions regarding the risks of chemotherapy exposure. Thus, this research portfolio sought to investigate this phenomenon. A descriptive, exploratory qualitative inquiry was utilised to capture the nurses’ perceptions. Data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with twelve participants who were on the chemotherapy register of two hospitals in New Zealand. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis via NVivo. The narratives of the participants revealed an overarching theme of safety, which was divided into two main themes: a) personal safety considerations, and b) organisational support. A conceptual framework presents a shared responsibility between the organisation and the nurse in enhancing the knowledge, skills, attitude, and behaviour of a nurse to achieve safety in cancer chemotherapy. The findings are essential in facilitating future efforts of the organisation and the nurse for quality improvement in education and risk management in the workplace.