OBJECTIVES: This study sought to: describe the view of palliative care oncology nurses about the nursing care system (SAE); analyze the factors involved in the implementation of SAE; and, discuss possible strategies proposed by the nurses to encourage implementation. METHODS: A descriptive, qualitative research design using focus group technique with content analysis was used. Participants were eight nurses working at the Cancer Hospital IV, a unit of the National Cancer Institute specializing in palliative care, located in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RESULTS: The participants indicated that the unit was in the planning phase of implementing SAE; challenges of this process due to its complexity and the clinical context in which it was to be implemented were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The need for training staff in relation to the theoretical foundation and preparation for decision making, taking into consideration the complexity of the clinical practice area, was the main strategy identified for successful implementation of SAE.
Oncologic nursing; Hospice care; Nursing process; Management