NURSES` PERCEPTION OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE IN BREAST CANCER CARE

The purpose of this study was to reveal nurses’ preparedness to provide nursing care for breast cancer patients by investigating whether nurses working with breast cancer patients have sufficient knowledge about breast cancer care. A further purpose was to interrogate the nursing staff levels of expertise in breast cancer care. The goal of this research was to enhance breast cancer nursing care, thereby leading to a better patient centered care and also increasing the quality of care by developing the nursing staff`s abilities. The research was carried out using a quantitative study method. The response was from nurses working in the Oncology Unit in the Central Hospital, Kokkola. An amount of 32 out of 40 nurses accounting for 80% of the target group responded in this study. A closed-ended questionnaire with 21 questions was used for data collection after piloting (n=1). Analysis of the data was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programme. Ethical considerations were taken into account in all phases of the research. Results in this study indicated that four types of knowledge existed; empirical, aesthetic, personal and ethical knowledge with ethical knowledge as the highest outcome. Majority of the nurses stipulated at the competent level of expertise. Several factors were responsible for the above; education, work experience and work contract. The results identified that majority of the nurses were motivated to improve patient centered care by meeting patients expectations, imparting adequate information, achieving mutual trust, creating time for personal discussions, encouraging patients to participate in their own care and taking patients well being into consideration