Aim: Advanced practice cancer nurses work in increasingly complex and demanding healthcare environments, placing them at heightened risk of burnout and reduced wellbeing. This study explored burnout and work engagement among advanced practice cancer nurses and identified factors that sustain wellbeing in the workplace.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was undertaken in Australia. Twenty-three advanced practice cancer nurses participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams between April and May 2025. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Information power was used to determine sample adequacy.
Results: Four themes were generated: role demands and complexity, organisational and professional support, drivers of engagement, and personal resources and strategies for wellbeing. Participants described substantial job demands, including high workload, role ambiguity, emotional burden, and organisational resource constraints, which contributed to emotional exhaustion and experiences of burnout. Despite these challenges, advanced practice cancer nurses remained highly engaged in their work. Engagement was sustained through meaningful relationships with patients and families, a strong sense of professional fulfilment and purpose, autonomy in practice, recognition, and opportunities for professional growth. Supportive teams and organisational leadership further enhanced engagement, while personal resources such as self-awareness, boundary setting, self-care practices, and family support helped nurses manage workplace demands and maintain wellbeing.
Conclusion: Advanced practice cancer nurses experience a combination of emotional exhaustion and strong work engagement. While high job demands contribute to burnout and emotional strain, meaningful work, professional fulfilment, supportive relationships, and personal resources help sustain engagement and wellbeing. Strategies that reduce workplace demands and strengthen organisational and personal resources are needed to support a sustainable advanced practice cancer nursing workforce.