Aim(s): To understand the experiences of advanced practice nurses working in cancer care.
Design: Phenomenological qualitative study.
Methods: Three focus groups were held to collect qualitative data. Participants were recruited through theoretical non-probabilistic sampling of maximum variation, based on 12 profiles. Data saturation was achieved with a final sample of 21 oncology advanced practice nurses who were performing advanced clinical practice roles in the four centers from December 2021 to March 2022. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was performed following Guba and Lincoln's criteria of trustworthiness. The centers' ethics committee approved the study, and all participants gave written informed consent. Data analysis was undertaken with NVivo 12 software.
Results: Three broad themes emerged from the data analysis: the role performed, facilitators and barriers in the development of the role and nurses' lived experience of the role.
Conclusion: Advanced practice nurses are aware that they do not perform their role to its full potential, and they describe different facilitators and barriers. Despite the difficulties, they present a positive attitude as well as a capacity for leadership, which has allowed them to consolidate the advanced practice nursing role in unfavourable environments.
Implications for the profession: These results will enable institutions to establish strategies at different levels in the implementation and development of advanced practice nursing roles.
Reporting method: Reporting complied with COREQ criteria for qualitative research.
Patient or public contributions: No patient or public contribution.
Keywords: advanced practice nursing; barriers; facilitators; interpretative phenomenological study; oncology nursing.
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Advanced Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.