The role of licensed nursing personnel in radiation oncology part a: results of a descriptive study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To identify the specific administrative, clerical, patient care, patient education, and research responsibilities that licensed nursing personnel perform in the field of radiation oncology. DESIGN Descriptive. SAMPLE 281 licensed nursing personnel employed in the field of radiation oncology in North America. METHODS Subjects completed a six-page, self-administered questionnaire comprised of fixed-choice and open-ended questions. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Demographics, employment settings, and administrative, clerical, patient care, patient education, and research responsibilities. FINDINGS Nurses in radiation oncology tend to be older (41-60 years of age) and considerably well educated, with many years of experience in this field. Nurses are responsible for a wide variety of tasks. The study found a strong demonstration of the role of nurse educator among radiation oncology nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Radiation oncology nursing is a subspecialty in evolution. The data should provide support for further exploration of how patient education and support influence patient outcomes in radiation oncology.