[calla2114]

Well I got my preceptor assignment last night...I am in my final semester of Nursing school...well I am assigned to an Oncology float...these are the area's we will be covering, Hematology/Oncology, Medical/Surgical Oncology, Gynecology/Oncology, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant...I was completely blindsided by this, we filled out prefrences and I did not pick oncology...but I am ready to go and learn and see what it is all about!!! So do any of you have any advice or tips about what I might do or see?? Or how I could prepare myself for this kind of work, espically being a float?? Anything is greatly appreciated!!

[Bevy02]

I was in the same position 2 years ago that you are in now. I was assigned to an oncology floor during my 3rd year of nursing school and was willing to do just about anything to get out of it because I had seen many family members go through cancer treatment and didn't want to have anything to do with it. Surprisingly, once I got there I loved it and when I went looking for jobs and only wanted jobs in oncology! I have been on an oncology unit for 7 months now and absolutely love it! The patients and their families are so grateful for everything you do and even when the treatment is not successful it is very fulfilling to be able to help the patient and their family through it. I would recommend that you keep an open mind about it (it seems like you already are). You will probably also work with some patients that are there for infections due to their low counts fromt the chemo and also some patients that are there as medical overflow. Good luck!

[bleppity]

I think you'll have plenty of opportunity for skills for drawing blood, starting IVs, tube feedings, cathethers, NG tubes, trach care/suctioning, etc. Or at least that's the way it is on my floor. Here the patients are very interested in their plan of care and like to know about what their meds are for and how they work. They also like to know their daily lab values. I think you'll get plenty of experience at patient teaching as well. It may not be your first choice, but I think you'll have a good experience.

[calla2114]

Well I want to thank you both for taking the time to respond...I was actually looking forward to learning more about oncology and what it was all about...however I will not get the chance..my preceptor decided to quit very last minute...so now I am going to be in psych...which I really did not want...NO PROCEDURES!! I am going to graduate in MAY and I will not get the chance to even try to start an IV....dang it!!! Oh well...I know that on any floor I go to I will be dealing with psych patients...so I am going to make the best of it!! Thanks again for your advice and encouragement!!