[Joe NightingMale]

I was wondering about the ways you've found that nursing on a oncology unit differs from the traditional med-surg unit.

Oncology isn't included in any of my clinical rotations and I was wondering what it's like.

Thanks.

[RNOCN2311]

Hi Joe,
I have never spent much time on a med surg unit, outside of 20 years ago. Prior to oncology I spent my days and nights in an ER. But, for me, oncology is a very holistic nursing. I do outpatient so I have a doctor on the unit at all times for easy access, but we do alot of telephone triage that you won't get on a nursing in house unit. Outside of hanging chemo and dealing with end of life care I'm not sure how it would differ in an inhouse setting.

[oncnursemsn]

Joe- what a great question- I've done pedi and adult onc all but 2 years of my 26 year career, and I wouldn't do anything else. If your med/surg patient has his appendix out or a hip replaced, they go back to their lives and forget (hopefully!) the experience.
Cancer patients do not know if they have the option to return to their lives; their future is forever changed. It's a very rich, powerful and often emotional time as these patients navigate the journey of their treatments. Cure? Maybe. Relapse? Maybe. Terminal? Maybe. They usually come back again and again.(CNS lymphoma patients have 20 cycles of high dose chemo, we see them every 3 weeks.) I like getting to know my pts, their families and develop relationships that are very rewarding. I'm afraid I would find med surg nursing to be a bit dull after all these years in onc. The technology is constantly changing; new drugs and treatments to keep up with, conferences to brainstorm with other onc people.
All that being said, I have had to learn my limits, take breaks and know my own feelings about death, dying, faith, etc. There are times when a young mother or father is dying, and all you see are the red eyes of family members and children, and my heart sinks. But we all get in there and walk the journey with them, no matter how hard or unfair it is. (Sorry for the long post)