Psychological support role of night nursing staff on an acute care oncology unit. A Canadian pilot study.

Observational field techniques were used to explore the dimensions of psychological support provided by experienced night nursing staff on an acute oncology unit in a Canadian tertiary care setting. This study confirms the findings of an earlier British pilot study surrounding the essential role that nurses play in meeting the psychosocial needs of cancer patients during the night shift on oncology wards. Categories included comfort care, monitoring, facilitating patient control, responding to the family, collegial support, and contextual factors. The findings confirm the need to raise the awareness of other health care professionals regarding the psychological support role night nurses undertake.