Abstract:Objective To investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation among nurses working in oncology departments and the correlated factors. Methods A total of 1,473 oncology nurses were selected from four oncology specialty hospitals and eight general hospitals of four cities in China, and administered with a socio-demographic questionnaire, Zung’s Self-rating Depression Scale, Chinese Nurse Stressor Scale (CNSS) and a standardized question regarding one-year suicidal ideation. Results The prevalence rate of one-year suicidal ideation among the oncology nurses was 6.7%. Risk factors (ORs) for suicidal ideation were marital status of remarriage, cohabitation, separation/ divorce, or widowhood, a technical title of attending nurse, depression, CNSS family domain score >62, patient domain score >123, and workload domain score >104. Only 11.1% of the nurses with suicidal ideation had sought help from mental health professionals. Conclusions Oncology nurses have a high risk of potential suicide. Adverse occupational factors and job stress might increase the risk for suicidal ideation.