Lived Experiences and Emotional Resilience of Oncology Nurses

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of oncology nurses and examine how emotional resilience is developed and sustained within oncology nursing practice in selected private hospitals in Dagupan City. Oncology nurses are continuously exposed to patient suffering, disease progression, and end-of-life care, resulting in persistent emotional demands that require sustained adaptive responses. A descriptive phenomenological design was employed to capture the essence of participants’ lived experiences. Fifteen oncology nurses with at least five years of clinical experience were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Findings revealed that emotional resilience is a dynamic and evolving lived experience expressed across four essential structures: emotional regulation, meaning-making and spirituality, relational support, and adaptive coping leading to transformation. These findings indicate that resilience is not a fixed trait but a context-dependent adaptive process. Based on the results, the ONCORE+ (Oncology Nurses’ Comprehensive Resilience Enhancement) Program was developed to strengthen resilience through structured institutional support. The study provides context-specific insights that may guide nursing leadership, education, and healthcare institutions in promoting nurses’ emotional well-being and professional sustainability.