Background

Every year 250 children in Sweden are diagnosed with cancer. For these children a long hospitalization usually starts. Many of these children think it is important for them to participate in their own care. They want information about their disease and treatment, and the nurses have a major role in this. Aim The aim of this study was to highlight the nurse's experiences about getting hospitalized children with cancer to participate in their own care and treatment. Method The chosen method was a literature review based on eight articles with a qualitative approach. Results The main finding was that information is a head part to make it possible for the children to participate. Even a good relationship has to be established between the nurse and the child. The nurse has to know the child's limitations to know what the child can or can not do. On the way to get the child to participate the nurse faced many obstacles such as limited time. Conclusion As a nurse today you can meet children with a cancer diagnose in your daily work. Therefor it is important for the nurse to know how to make the children participating in their own care. Positive effects of this are that the children feel safe and time is usually saved in the caring process.