Immunotherapy Assessment: Using a Survey Instrument to Examine Oncology Nurses’ Confidence Levels With Administration and Management

Immuno-oncology is a complex treatment paradigm for many malignancies. As a result, nurses need to increase their knowledge awareness regarding safe, evidence-based care of patients who receive oncologic immunotherapy with their treatment regimen. This pilot study looks at nurse confidence levels specific to the challenges associated with this complex treatment. The Oncology Nurse Immunotherapy Confidence Survey, developed for this project, allowed for 28 confidence measurements, demographic collection, and a brief quasi-thematic analysis. The pre- and posteducation confidence scores demonstrated a 51% overall improvement.

AT A GLANCE

• Nursing confidence is improved with treatment-related, drug class–specific education.
• As new, complex treatments enter the oncology landscape, continuing education is essential for optimal nursing care.
• The complexity of care dictates a need to reevaluate not only the educational process, but also how the clinical environment is staffed and managed.