Barriers, facilitators and motivations to pursue specialty certification in oncology nursing: the case of BC oncology nurses
Leads: Leah Lambert, Jagbir Kaur
The purpose of this study is to generate contextual evidence about the personal, social, and structural factors that influence BC Cancer nurses to pursue—or not to pursue—specialty certification in oncology nursing. The findings from this mixed-methods study will be used to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of an organizational strategy to increase the prevalence of CON(C)-certified nurses at BC Cancer.
We are actively recruiting nurses to participate in this multiphase study. (go to methods to learn more!)
Study Background & Rationale:
Specialty nursing certification has been shown to positively impact patient outcomes, nursing outcomes, and systems-level outcomes. In oncology, specialty nursing certification has been positively associated with improved cancer-related symptom management1, improved patient satisfaction1-3, increased job satisfaction4, and an improved sense of empowerment4. There is a gap in empirical evidence about the perceived value and barriers to achieving specialty nursing certification in oncology from the perspective of nurses working in the Canadian cancer care system.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to generate contextual evidence about the personal, social, and structural factors that influence BC Cancer nurses to pursue—or not to pursue—specialty certification in oncology nursing. The findings from this mixed-methods study will be used to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of an organizational strategy to increase the prevalence of CON(C)-certified nurses at BC Cancer.
Methods: | ||
Survey - We will administer an online survey which includes (1) the Perceived Value of Certification Tool (PVCT-12®) survey instrument, (2) demographic questions, and (3) investigator developed and adapted questions. |  Focus Groups - We will conduct a series of focus group interviews with BC Cancer nurses. The same demographic questions from phase 1 will also be sent to participants via REDCap prior to their scheduled focus group. Focus groups will have five to six participants, a facilitator, and a note-taker. Data collected in focus groups differ from that gathered in interviews as the attention is on the interaction between the participants (Hansen, 2006). Focus groups will be crucial to identify and discuss interactional factors, which include attitudes, believes and expectations at the unit level, which include colleagues and managers. Quantitative findings from Phase 1 will help to ground the conversation during the focus groups. | |
Study Team
| Name | Role | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Leah Lambert | Principal Investigator | Executive Director & Sr. Scientist Nursing and Allied Health Research & KT BC Cancer Clinical Assistant Professor School of Nursing University of British Columbia |
| Mr. Scott Beck | Co-Investigator | Clinical Nurse Specialist Nursing and Allied Health Research & KT BC Cancer |
| Ms. Megan Crosby | Co-Investigator | Interim Director - Provincial Nursing Professional Practice |
| Ms. Jagbir Kaur | Co-Investigator | Clinical Nurse Specialist Nursing and Allied Health Research & KT BC Cancer |
| Ms. Andrea Knox | Co-Investigator | Director Nursing and Allied Health Research & KT BC Cancer Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing UBC |
| Ms. Charlotte Nerville | Co-Investigator | Clinical Nurse Educator, BC Cancer - Victoria |
| Ms. Sonya Sangha | Co-Investigator | Staff Nurse, Systemic Therapy, BC Cancer - Vancouver and Surrey |
| Ms. Emily Lonsdale | Research Coordinator | Nursing and Allied Health Research & KT BC Cancer |
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