Graduating soon, considering Oncology and ICU

Specialties Oncology

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Specializes in Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN).

I'm a 1st semester senior in nursing school, and need to decide next month where I want to do my Senior Practicum next Spring. I'm sure this is called something else in other nursing schools, but here it means working for 86 hours during my final semester with a preceptor, in a hospital and specialty of my choice. At my school, most students can get hired by the hospital/unit where they do their Practicum.

I've been advised by some nursing faculty to look on the first year or two after graduation as an extension of nursing school, where you learn the practical skills to back up the classroom BSN knowledge. To that end, they suggest starting out in ICU, or ED. Then switch to another area of specialty later after mastering clinical skills.

From a skills development perspective, would you rank Oncology on par with ICU? And how do you feel about new BSN's going straight into Oncology? Regardless of where I start out, I think I really want to end up in Oncology.

Last question: I'm in the metro DC area. If anyone can suggest a good hospital for new grads in Oncology, I'd appreciate hearing from you!

Thanks,

:thankya:

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