[ericalynn]

Hi everyone!
I am a new grad and I was hired into the oncology unit of my hospital. This is the specialty I have wanted to get into but I didn't think I would be so lucky as to start there. I am just wondering of there is any good advice you all can give me regarding oncology nursing or good books to get to study. I will be chemo certified by my hospital soon and I just want to be as knowledgable as I can.

My second question is that I am a cancer survivor myself and I wonder what your thoughts are on sharing my story with my patients.

Any advice is helpful!

[lesrn2005]

Congrats to you-although I can't give any advice on good books, I can say that your own experience with CA will make you more empathetic to your patients. Good luck!!

[sggirl]

Congratulations on the new job. Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing is an excellent resource for Oncolgy Nursing. After 16 years in Oncology , I still refer to this book frequently. Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines for Practice is an excellent resource for chemotherapy administration and side effects. Please join Oncolgy Nursing Society, as this will afford the opportunity to stay informed of the new treatments /best evidence based practices and new trends in symptom management.
Good luck.

[I Ran To The Can]

I've been an Oncology nurse now for 6 months, so here's what I can share with you:

- Monitor pt labs & I/O (especially if they're getting chemo), refer back to your lab/diagnostic book frequently

- The ONS Chemo book is good (possibly provided by your CHEMO course). It explains some regimens, premeds, adverse rxns and oncologic emergencies

- Check their mouth! And always, always, always encourage good mouth care!

- Check their skin, and encourage good skin care (for GVH)

Those are some things. When I assess my patient's, I ABC and Maslow them. When I can control the physical discomforts, they see that and maybe they'll open up to me and tell me about how they feel or I'll ask, "How was your day".

I think, with your experience with cancer, you can definitely empathize more and know what to ask and what to say that may decrease their anxietites, but do stay focused on them and offer words of hope