Background: Paediatric oncology nurses are at risk of vicarious trauma (VT) due to repeated exposure to child suffering, treatment failure, and bereaved families. In Iran, limited research exists on VT manifestations, particularly in multicultural settings.
Aim: This study explored VT experiences among paediatric oncology nurses in Urmia, Iran.
Methods: A qualitative conventional content analysis was conducted from September 2024 to February 2025 at two hospitals in Urmia. 18 paediatric oncology nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Graneheim and Lundman’s approach. Trustworthiness was ensured through Lincoln and Guba’s criteria.
Results: Four themes emerged: (1) “The Faces Never Leave” – intrusive imagery, sensory memories, and cognitive re-experiencing; (2) “I Built a Wall Around Myself” – emotional numbing, detachment, and avoidance; (3) “The World Became a Dangerous Place” – hypervigilance, disrupted worldviews, and overprotection of one’s own children; and (4) “We Just Go to the Next Patient” – organisational silence, absent debriefing, and suppressed emotional expression. Negative case analysis identified peer support, supportive management, and formal debriefing as protective factors.
Implications for Practice: Vicarious trauma is pervasive among paediatric oncology nurses in Urmia, exacerbated by organisational silence and emotion suppression. Structured debriefing, trauma-informed leadership, and culturally sensitive religious coping support are urgently needed.