A Scoping Review on Work Experiences of Nurses After Being Diagnosed With Cancer

Problem identification: To map key concepts underpinning work-related studies about nurses with cancer and identify knowledge gaps.

Literature review: A search was conducted in the PubMed®, CINAHL®, and PsycINFO® databases for articles about nurses with cancer and work-related topics published through March 2023.

Data evaluation: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist was used to report results, and the JBI critical appraisal tools were used to assess the quality of studies. Eleven articles were included.

Synthesis: The following four critical concepts were identified: role adjustments at work, cancer impacts on work, organizational support, and translating insights gained from cancer experience into work. Research gaps identified by the scoping review were a lack of theoretical or conceptual frameworks, lack of syntheses of main ideas, and lack of clear data about participants' socioeconomic status across studies.

Implications for research: Minimal research exists to map predictors, outcomes, or intervention targets to guide organizational strategies to support nurses' retention in the nursing workforce. A guiding framework, recruitment of diverse nurses, and focus on the four critical concepts identified in this scoping review are suggested for future research.