OBJECTIVES: To describe palliative care as part of comprehensive oncology nursing care. DATA SOURCES: A review of the palliative care, oncology, and nursing literature over the past 10 years. CONCLUSION: Palliative care is mandated as part of comprehensive cancer care. A cancer diagnosis often results in distress in the physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional domains of care. Oncology nurses are essential in providing palliative care from diagnosis to death to patients with cancer. They address the myriad aspects of cancer. With palliative care skills and knowledge, oncology nurses can provide quality cancer care. There are many opportunities in which oncology nurses can promote palliative care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses must obtain knowledge and skills in primary palliative care to provide comprehensive cancer care.
OBJECTIVES: To describe palliative care as part of comprehensive oncology nursing care. DATA SOURCES: A review of the palliative care, oncology, and nursing literature over the past 10 years. CONCLUSION: Palliative care is mandated as part of comprehensive cancer care. A cancer diagnosis often results in distress in the physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional domains of care. Oncology nurses are essential in providing palliative care from diagnosis to death to patients with cancer. They address the myriad aspects of cancer. With palliative care skills and knowledge, oncology nurses can provide quality cancer care. There are many opportunities in which oncology nurses can promote palliative care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses must obtain knowledge and skills in primary palliative care to provide comprehensive cancer care.