Academic paper by ANZCHOG Nursing Research Group published
New research has been published from our very own ANZCHOG Nursing Research Group, highlighting the key factors shaping job satisfaction among Australia’s paediatric cancer nurses and the need for greater support for their workplace wellbeing.
“Workforce Recommendations to Address Distress and Burnout in Australian Children’s Cancer Nurses” was published in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing, sharing results from a national study surveying 113 nurses to better understand what helps them thrive in their roles, what’s holding them back, and what can be done to foster a strong and sustainable workforce.
While most nurses described their work as meaningful and rewarding, the study confirmed that distress and burnout are widespread — and that many nurses are at risk of leaving the field within the next 10 years. More than half reported high workloads and a lack of adequate leadership support. Nurses also shared the emotional toll of delivering complex care in high-pressure environments, often without access to the professional development or wellbeing support they need.
The research identified three priority areas for intervention:
- Expanding career and professional development pathways
- Improving leadership and management support
- Ensuring access to adequate resources and safe staffing levels
Nurses who felt supported to work to the full scope of their skills, who had access to continuing education, and who experienced strong leadership were significantly more likely to report high job satisfaction and an intention to stay in the profession.
Importantly, the study also captured nurses’ ideas and recommendations — including better career planning, protected education time, investment in leadership capability, and mental health support tailored to the emotional demands of the role.
A huge congratulations to everyone in our Nurses Research Group who worked on the article, including Natalie Bradford, Elyce Pate, Jane Templeton, Rachel Edwards, Donna Drew, Jayne Harrison and Karin Plummer. A fantastic achievement!
You can read the full article (note: subscription required) here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/27527530251318981