Oncology nursing and integrative care: a new way of being.

Oncology nursing is a long-established specialty in the practice of professional nursing. The paradigm shift to a more holistic perspective in health care is affecting not only the delivery of care but also the beliefs and value of nurses who work with people experiencing cancer. This article will examine the role of holistic theory and complementary therapies as innovations in nursing education and nursing practice. Suggestions for assessing and planning for an integrative approach to intervention will be discussed. Outcomes from a senior nursing student survey concerning the integration of holistic nursing and complementary therapies will be described. The future offers many challenges for professional nursing as a major player in today's health care system.