http://allnurses.com Where Oncology Nurses network with each other and share their knowledge. Nurses in this field provide care and support for patients diagnosed with cancer. These nurses are responsible for administering chemotherapy and managing symptoms related to cancer illnesses. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:54:52 GMT vBulletin 60 http://img.an-file.info/misc/rss.jpg http://allnurses.com http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/nurses-oncology-having-439130-new.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:08:37 GMT Hi, I'm a student in a BSN-RN program and am really interested in oncology nursing. I decided to do my summer externship on an oncology inpatient unit until a friend of mine who works on an oncology unit told me that she knows of 3 nurses on her floor in the past year or so who have had stillborns.
Would that make any sense? Assuming they were handling the chemo properly, could there be any correlation? Or can you be harmed from chemo by touching the pt, etc? I wouldn't imagine so, but I'm no expert. My fiance and I want kids, and if there's a fair risk of chemo-stillborns, or any chemo-induced problems really, maybe I would want to rethink this.

Thanks :) ]]> Oncology Nursing quetepye http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/nurses-oncology-having-439130.html http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/wannabe-onc-infusion-437827-new.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:15:01 GMT I've been a nurse for a looooong itme, mostly in the OR. The obvious problem here is that I got out of nursing school at a time when there was very little Chemo meds around, etc. After 20 some years, things have obviously changed a lot!
I joined ONS, in the hopes of taking some online CEU's, trying to get some education and possibly attend the Chemo/Biotherapeutics class under my belt to show the managers, etc that I am very interested, motivated to learn, etc.
Problem is that the listings(which 8 months ago were looking for RN, period) are now reading "Must have two years oncology experience, ONC and Chemo/Bio therapy, etc, etc". The question is, of course, how does one get oncology experience without having access to that experience? Based on the ONS calendar of classes, I just missed some pretty good classes and the last Chemo/BT class that's close to me for the rest of the year. So, I'm looking for other places to find some education-and I hadn't realized how complex Cancer Treatment had become(I've seen the cancers, helped remove them, asked as many questions as I can think of, but that's not the same thing)...

All help happily accepted. Thanks very much for reading this.

Can anyone out there advise in regards to classes offered by ONS and any other website, that can get me some amount of education under my belt so that when I do apply for the job, I have some amount of credibility? All answers greatly appreciated. ]]> Oncology Nursing Heogog53 http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/wannabe-onc-infusion-437827.html http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/ocn-exam-s-437463-new.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:37:33 GMT Hello everyone! I am planning on taking the OCN exam next summer (2010). I recently purchased... Hello everyone!

I am planning on taking the OCN exam next summer (2010). I recently purchased the Core Curriculum book & study guide and have been utilizing it in my preparation. A few questions for anyone who has taken the exam...

1. What resources did you use for studying? (books, review courses, etc.)

2. What areas did you feel made up the bulk of the test, such as supportive care or symptom management?

3. Do you have any suggestions for study strategies?

My experience has been all outpatient, mostly hem/onc & BMT with very little solid tumors. Anyone that was in the same boat??? ]]> Oncology Nursing SteffersRN87 http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/ocn-exam-s-437463.html http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/brain-sheets-437110-new.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:51:07 GMT Hi everyone!

I'm starting a new position on an oncology floor, and I'm looking for tips on how other folks organize their "brain sheets" (borrowed this idea from the cardiac nursing section)! Currently mine just includes the basics like admitting dx, relevant history, code status, allergies, med times, etc. I'd like to re-vamp it so that it's more oncology-specific. Let's share our brains and get some good ideas from one another! Thanks to anyone who's willing to share!:specs: ]]> Oncology Nursing stellina615 http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/brain-sheets-437110.html http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/cma-oncology-rant-436564-new.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:09:08 GMT I just need a place to rant with those who understand. As I have stated before I am a CMA at an... I just need a place to rant with those who understand.
As I have stated before I am a CMA at an Ocology/Hem. tx center.

Lately we have seen a very high accuity of patients that I feel we are just keeping alive because the
patients family is in denial. We have patients that are in their 80's and 90's and being given chemo for stage IV and X cancers. They come in so "out of it" due to all of the pain meds thay are on, being pumped full of transfusions to keep their blood counts in the range to get treatment ( which makes them sicker).
If feels like we are just torturing them.
It makes me want to scream " leave them alone and let them die in peace".

Thanks for letting me rant. ]]> Oncology Nursing prowlingMA http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/cma-oncology-rant-436564.html http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/how-do-i-436415-new.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:17:26 GMT I am going to be a new grad this Dec and really want to get into this out pt setting that... I am going to be a new grad this Dec and really want to get into this out pt setting that specializes in Oncology. Any tips??? I will graduate as a LPN. I have over 10 years as a CMA. I am planning on going back for my RN-BSn thru Excelsior college. Thanks ]]> Oncology Nursing Mrs leese http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/how-do-i-436415.html http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/lpn-oncology-nursing-433730-new.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:42:40 GMT Quick question, just wanted to know if there is a certification for LPNs to take in order to... Quick question, just wanted to know if there is a certification for LPNs to take in order to administer chemo? Or do you HAVE to be a RN? Thanks to all who respond. ]]> Oncology Nursing starbucksnurse http://allnurses.com/oncology-nursing/lpn-oncology-nursing-433730.html