[regglynn]

I am a new grad. (graduated May 2007). I started right away in the OR. But found out I did not like it. The work isn't hard, but it's not for me.

So I applied for a position on the Inpatient Oncology floor. My question is:
Will the past few months I have spent in the OR, hurt me in getting the job? And what are some important things I need to learn quickly if I do get the job? (labs, meds, etc) Because in the OR, you really don't look at much except wbc's, platelets, and h&h or perform the nursing functions like in school.

[RNOCN2311]

I've worked in the OR, and though it does have it's knowledge base of importance (tasks, infection, positioning, etc), it can not prepare you for oncology. Labs are labs, most importantly is the standard WBC, H/H, Platelets, and diff, to start with but it's the drugs that are the tricky part. Take a look around the ONS web site, google chemotherapy (side effects). It's a different type of nursing. If it's like our inpatient oncology floor, your actual chemo patients will be small compaired to the med/surg patients. If it's a large instituion with a designated oncology inpatient area..... you'll learn as you go and if you're sharp, you'll learn that the patient is usually more important than the drug anyway. It's a very scary time for the patients & families and they are looking for your comfort, confidence and support. It's very holistic nursing.