cancer.sucks

Latest Activity

1. OCN exam quandries

   cancer.sucks replied to Momof2inMO's topic in Oncology

   To get the OCN test blueprint and booklet that includes recommended resources, go to the ONCC website. However, if you just want to know the primary book to study, get the most recent Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing and the study guide that goe...

2. Do you dream about work?

   cancer.sucks replied to joyful_wanderer's topic in General Nursing

   I rarely dream about work. However, in the early years of my career I had to carefully choose an alarm clock that would wake me up, but that did not sound like any of the alarms at work. If my clock alarm sounded remotely like any alarm at work I w...

3. Becoming a RN

   cancer.sucks replied to slimz101's topic in Career Support

   Transitioning to a career from college causes anxiety regardless of the degree. I really think that it is compounded for nursing because you are acutely aware that how well you do your job directly can affect the health of someone else. The person ...

4. AJN magazine

   cancer.sucks replied to beckyboo1's topic in General Nursing

   I prefer to subscribe to specialty (oncology) journals. However, if you are a med/surg nurse facing a multitude of diagnoses, then it can be a valuable tool for you. If I remember correctly, the CEUs generally have an online link by which you can s...

5. One of our pet peeves

   cancer.sucks replied to Brian's topic in Rock

   Pain is defined as what the patient says it is occurring when the patient says it does. That is a fact. While we as nurses have a tendency not to believe the patient that is asking for pain meds while on the phone, doing her nails, and reading a ma...

6. IV Push Medication

   cancer.sucks replied to nursejada001's topic in Infusion

   but there are medications ie. chemo meds given IV push but are required to be administered over 15mins. When a chemotherapy medication is given IV push blood return also has to be frequently assessed. The nurse has to be in complete control of the i...

7. Epic Charting System

   cancer.sucks replied to mbutler14's topic in Emergency

   Epic is set up to be user friendly regardless of where or how often the patient enters the healthcare system. If one of my oncology patients shows up in the ER, the ER staff can very easily how long ago the patient had chemotherapy, blood transfusio...

8. ONS BOOK

   cancer.sucks replied to LevitateMe's topic in Oncology

   Be careful about using an outdated text. The OCN exam is evaluated every 3 years for outdated information questions and anything referring to outdated information is thrown out. If you use an outdated text, you may well review information that you ...

9. Port Medication

   cancer.sucks replied to busybee04's topic in Oncology

   The reason for using a 10ml syringe to push medications through a portacath (or a PICC line for that matter) is because of the pressure caused by pushing a medication. The smaller the syringe the greater PSI that is provided with each push. There a...

10. Dealing with the sad parts

    cancer.sucks replied to danceyrun's topic in Oncology

    I love that you said that SoldierNurse22!! I have been primarily in adult oncology, but come from the land of St. Jude Hospital although I do not live there anymore. When an adult patient loses their battle with cancer there are many more people imp...

11. Dealing with the sad parts

    cancer.sucks replied to danceyrun's topic in Oncology

    I hope that you can find a way to value all of the experiences that you have with your patients--the good and the bad. I have told many people that there are few things in this world that I do well. Being an oncology nurse is what I am proudest of ...

12. Pregnant Oncology Nurse

    cancer.sucks replied to whitecp's topic in Oncology

    I gave chemotherapy through 2 pregnancies and all was fine. I consistently use chemo cloves and gown, but have not ever used a face shield or safety glasses. Both pregnancies were uneventful and both of my girls are fine. Both were honor students ...

13. ADVICE NEEDED

    cancer.sucks replied to Cardiacguy7's topic in Oncology

    If you can learn to cope with your feelings, you have much to offer a patient that is struggling with a difficult diagnosis. You are a cancer survivor as much as your wife is because you have seen her through so much. I have told nurses many times ...

14. How to take action when a bone mets patient has pain

    cancer.sucks replied to Danish1807's topic in Oncology

    There is rarely going to be an individual answer to the quesiton of managing bone metastasis. A combination of long-acting and short-acting opioids, anti-inflammatory, and steroid is usually necessary. Especially in the case of spinal metastases, the...

15. Did you know? "Code Brown" means tornado. . .LMAO!

    cancer.sucks replied to delphine22's topic in General Nursing

    Code Brown was a bomb threat at my previous hospital. I really thought it was ludicrous.