Introduction: In oncology nursing, the work is typically physically and mentally exhausting. The oncology nurses also feel tired because of compassion for the patient, as cancer affects both the elderly and the young. Patients with their issues and problems put an additional burden on the staff, which in turn causes more stress and burnout. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to investigate the prevalence of burnout among oncology nurses and identify specific burnout risk factors and effective methods for burnout prevention in oncology nurses. Methods: We used a descriptive method with a literature review, which was carried out by searching the bibliographic databases Cobiss, Medline, PubMed, and CINAHL Ultimate in the period from January to June 2023. Results: Of the 254 hits, 16 were used in the analysis that showed a high prevalence of burnout in oncology nursing and defined risk factors such as mental and physical stress, long working hours, shift work, patient dying and death, offering psychological support to the patient and family, use of chemotherapy drugs, lack of staff and social support, emotional demands, and offering sexual health care. Additional training, relaxation, and conversations with peers are the most important activities to mitigate stressors. Discussion and conclusion: In the research, the authors reported on the levels of burnout and the factors that influence it, as well as the possibilities for effective stress management. Further research is needed to understand burnout among oncology nurses, which would contribute to making work easier and thereby reducing burnout.
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