Interested in oncology nursing

Originally posted by beckymcrn:
Hello Candice
You want to be an oncology nurse? There are many avenues in this catagory to choose from I work in a hospital setting, there are office jobs, research jobs etc...
I can only speak from where I am. I love my what I do. The job is sometimes great sometimes sad, and sometimes down right depressing. I feel this area of nursing is definately a calling. A nurse who works in this area needs to be compassionate, knowledgeable and empathetic. The knowledge comes with school and experience. The compassion and empathy have to be a part of your life. These patients come in scared to death. They are searching for hope. Most of them embrace their nurses. But there are those who stay in the anger and denial until the end. You have to be strong when your every part of your being is crying inside as these pts whom you have cared for from first diagnosis to chemo and radiation and all its side effects finally close their eyes for the last time.
I hope I did not scare you away because we need good compassionate nurses. If you feel in your heart this is where you want to be you will be great. Just continue your learning and never forget compassion.
Becky