One cannot go through life withou experiencing stress. One can go through life however, without becoming burned out. Coping with stress is a necessity.

According to Cohen(1994)
"stress is also motivation to grow. Too little stress can result in boredom and disinterest".

It is the negative or overload stress that inherently causes oncology nurses to burnout. Not all oncology nurse will become burned out during their career. There is however, a potential for many of these nurses to burnout. They must begin to recognize the signs of burnout in themselves and their co-workers. They must address the issues causing burnout. Then perhaps they can avoid the pain and suffering caused by the effects of burnout upon themselves, their families and fellow coworkers.

Oncology nursing is a demanding profession. Oncology nurses must be able to cop with death anddying on a continual basis. They need to understand how this affects them personally and emotionally. Nurse mus find way to help themselves and their coworkers deal with the stress of the job. They need to be supportive of thier coworkers and nurture each other. Only then will they meet the needs of thier patients with the best standard of care possible.

As stated by Felstein &Gemma (1995)
"Oncology nursing demands resiliency and strength, which are in turn imparted to patients through a therapeutic relationship."