This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Clarke-Steffen, L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Clarke-Steffen, L. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The Meaning of Peak and Nadir Experiences of Pediatric Oncology Nurses: Secondary Analysis

College of Nursing, Arizona State University, Box 872602, Tempe, AZ 85287-2602

This article explores the meanings pediatric oncology nurses derive from their work role and describes the process by which nurses create meaning. This was a secondary analysis of data from a qualitative study that examines peak and nadir experiences and their consequences in pediatric oncology nurses. A semistructured interview was used to gather data from a sample of 26 nurses at a pediatric cancer treatment center. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was used in the primary study to identify themes and characteristics of the peak and nadir experiences and their consequences. Constant comparative analysis revealed emerging categories of significant meaning for pediatric oncology nurses. These categories included relating to others; experiencing life, death and dying; being aware of self as nurse; and experiencing diminishing qualities of the nursing situation. Through a process of giving and receiving, the nurses were able to find fulfillment in giving care to children with cancer. (

Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, Vol. 15, No. 1, 25-33 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/104345429801500104


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. I. Rheingans Relationship Between Pediatric Oncology Nurses' Management of Patients' Symptoms and Job Satisfaction Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, November 1, 2008; 25(6): 312 - 322. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. F. Macpherson Peer-Supported Storytelling for Grieving Pediatric Oncology Nurses Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, June 1, 2008; 25(3): 148 - 163. [Abstract] [PDF]