Coats, Heather

Evidence-based practice is critical to providing high-quality hospice and palliative nursing care. Professional organizations, such as the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), play a critical role in shaping the future of the hospice and palliative nursing field by identifying gaps in the science and fostering collaborative research efforts to inform evidence-based practices. One such driver is the tri-annual HPNA Research Agenda, which outlines key research priorities in hospice and palliative nursing, ultimately aiming to accelerate translation of research into practice and practice improvements. In this article, 6 emerging research scholars in the field and present and former co-chairs of the HPNA Emerging Research Scholar Special Interest Group reflect on the experiences that led them to pursue research careers in hospice and palliative nursing. Through a process of collective self-assessment, these scholars articulated their shared progress toward addressing the research priorities outlined in the 2023–2026 HPNA Research Agenda as a means of generating insights to direct future research efforts in the field.

Adolescents and young adults living with advanced cancer must often discover new rules for living during cancer treatment. Such experiences may lead them to emerge to higher levels of consciousness and find personal meaning in these experiences. Newman’s theory of health as expanding consciousness was this qualitative research study’s framework examining hope’s role for adolescents and young adults living with advanced cancer. Fifteen participants aged 12-21 years created written narratives and illustrations to describe their experiences with hope. We propose an updated theoretical model in which hope facilitates expanding consciousness in adolescents and young adults living with advanced cancer.

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with advanced cancer may experience a heightened risk for existential distress. Addressing AYAs’ hopes can stimulate a dialogue about their concerns, values, and goals, provide a path to holistically support their existential needs, and potentially alleviate their distress. This study aimed to evaluate hope's role in a sample of AYAs living with advanced cancer. Method: This study used a Husserlian phenomenology-informed descriptive qualitative research design to elicit AYAs’ experiences with hope while living with advanced cancer. Participants were virtually recruited from an academic medical center and an online non-profit organization. Thematic analyses were performed across the data set to identify final themes. Results: Fifteen AYAs aged 12–21 years diagnosed with advanced hematological (80%) or solid (20%) malignancies participated in this study. A main theme of Simple Supports of Hope with a subtheme of Diversion was identified. Participants described music as a form of diversion, which supported their hope. Participants found listening to music calming and comforting and helped them cope with their distress. Performing music provided a creative outlet for negative feelings associated with cancer treatment. Participants reported creating music transformed and deintensified the treatment environment and helped spread hope to healthcare staff. Discussion: AYAs may intentionally use music to improve emotional expression, empowerment, connection, and coping strategies throughout the treatment process for cancer. Additional research needs to be conducted exploring the use of music interventions such as therapeutic songwriting or compositional music therapy to assist AYAs with building coping strategies during treatment for cancer.