LAUSR

BACKGROUND understanding the impact of role ambiguity (both professional and patient) can be a factor in deepening the understanding of the ongoing personal, professional and organisational requirements of nurses who are cancer survivors. PURPOSE the aim of this qualitative study was to elucidate an in-depth description of nurses' experiences of surviving cancer. METHOD an exploratory qualitative research design was used (n=8), with participants recruited between September 2014 and December 2016. DISCUSSION data analysis led to the emergence of six themes: being practical about the diagnosis and treatment, empathy and compassion, a 'new normal' and the role of organisational support, medical knowledge and treatment experiences, coping in silence and denial, and being resilient. CONCLUSION nurses as cancer survivors who return to work offer a richness of experience related to enhanced empathetic responses to patients in their care and have the potential to be great practice role-models for other staff.