[NicuNsg]

Hello!!!
What a rollercoaster ride I have been on!!!! I am a recent RN grad, just moved 180 miles back to my home town with my great husband and two kids. I was all set to start in the NICU, until I took my NCLEX...and I suppose with all my stress...I did not have the concentration, and I did not pass (this time!!).
At any rate, the NICU was all set to hold my position until Sept., when I can re-take the exam. My wallet had other ideas
I have taken a position in Pediatric Oncology as a tech for now and have promised to work as an RN as well in this unit. It still sounds like a wonderful opportunity, no complaints! I love working with children and families, this will enable me to continue to do that!!! I have experience as a tech, I worked in an outpt. facility for special needs kids for quiet a few years.
Now, moving on to the purpose of my thread.......
I would like to see how many Peds HemOnc nurses are out there, any advise that you can give will be GREATLY appreciated. I know from looking on other threads, the advise that is normally given is very good! Thanks in advance!!!!

[gmarie]

I have been working in peds hem/onc for approx. 5 years, since I was a new grad. I can think of nothing more fufilling or challenging. I absolutely love caring for children and their families during some very tragic illnesses. I hope you will find the same. I encourage you to pursue this area. I was also a little nervous at first but quickly came to LOVE it.

[catz]

i have not worked in paeds onc. since qualifying but really enjoyed my placement there as a student and it is a field i would like to work in. i was considering a move to that area but atm it is not possible. it is an area i found to be very rewarding, very satisfying and very fulfilling despite all the sadness which goes along with it.

i say go for it. give it a try. u will know very quickly if it is for u or not and will give u some insight into the non intensive care part of nursing kids with ca.

good luck

[NicuNsg]

Just an update:

I passed my NCLEX, I am an RN. I will be starting my floor orientation next week. Can't wait, I have a great preceptor! I'll keep you posted on how things are going.

[Kimburly]

I have worked peds hem/onc for almost 4 years now and absolutely love it. I enjoy getting to know the patients and their families as I see them over and over. Chronically ill kids are really special and the relationships you can form with them are priceless. I also like being in a specialty because I feel like I get to know more about what I am dealing with. I recently moved and had to leave my job of 3 years, but was so blessed to find a hospital opening a new peds hem/onc unit. People are always saying "oh that must be so hard, I don't know how you do it" but those of us that do it, love it.
Good luck, you'll know if it's right for you. Feel free to pm or email me if you want.
Kim

[vemiliob]

Hi! I’m not working in ped/onc, however, I must cover pediatrics when nurses of that area have days off, vacations, licenses etc.
I also am preparing my NCLEX since January to fly to Florida. How was it? Many questions?
Few months ago I knew I had to think about which specialty choose when starting my new life in FL. Now I feel that I couldn’t do other than pediatrics, but still have an impending decision related to, Neonatology, PICU, Onc., Hospital or Community health.

Here we suffer a nurse-shortage as well, I guess it is a worldly issue. However, most Clinics and Hospitals are broken and therefore not allowed to take new personnel, so that one must work where one is needed instead of where one wishes.
If you are still experiencing the effervescence of your recent success and need to liberate a dose of energy just e-mail me, I don’t mind.
Good luck.

[playallday]

Worked in Hem/Onc for 4 yrs. loved it!!
Always listen to your parents and kids sometimes the little things they say will have significant outcomes.

Ex: " look at my hand its funny, it's hard to move my fingers apart" Labs drawn to check BMP....she was heading into a potentially life-threatening calcium depleation due to chemo.

Ex: " her color just isn't right" Very sick child..heading toward sepsis.

No matter how busy you are, take a deep breath and slow down before you go into the next room. It's 'their world' look at the whole picture, just giving them your full attention even if only for a moment will make a huge difference.

Find something that gives you strength and draw on it everyday:

For me it was a bracelet, given to me by a child, labled WWJD. It served as a reminder that in any situation, to stop and think about" What Would Jesus Do". One particular day stands out in my mind: sooo busy, meds late from pharmacy, trouble with other departments, and of course everybody needed me at the same time. In my frustration (in the privacy of the med room) I looked at my bracelet and yelled, "what would Jesus do? he would cure all these children, but I can't!" Through some tears and deep breaths, I asked again, what would Jesus do, the answer came to me clearly... He'd pray to his father for help. So for just a moment , so did I. Well, meds and extra nursing help arrived, I felt renewd enough to deal with everything. It was a good day.

I sincerly hope you fing the good in everyday on Peds hem/onc.

[sleep deprived]

I think it's great that you are working with these children an famalies. I lost my son to cancer when he was only 3 . I went on to become a nurse and love it. God Bless you and all the oncology nurses.

[nicudaynurse]

Great post Playallday!! I think that pedi. hem/onc. would be very rewarding and intellectually challenging

[NicuNsg]

Playallday!!!!
Thank you so much for your post, I know exactally what you mean! Great post and soo true, thank you (made me tear up).

I am really loving the floor right now, it is extremely trying...very busy..all of the above! I love the children, the families, my co-workers (who are wonderful), and most of the doc's are open to teaching as well! I am learning alot and it is very interesting...something new everyday whether it is a sickler, a bili baby, or a newly dx. or relapsed leukemia.

I am doing my chemo modules now, alittle overwhelming but I have great support from my preceptor and nurse mgr., the literature is very good.

Sleep deprived, thank you for the blessings! You are very blessed as well, I hope you know that! You are a special person who was given a gift and now your giving back! You are a hero in my eyes!

Thank you everyone for your posts so far...keep them coming!