new grad interested in outpatient infusion

The best way to get experience is to find a hospital oncology unit that also has on outpatient unit associated with it. Nurses working in these OP setting have quite a bit of experience with oncology,vascular access.chemotherapy administration,PICC insertion,blood product administration plus more. In the hospital that employs me the Infusion nurse specialists puts all the PICCs in. If there is no position in the OP clinic or infusion center...then you ask to be oriented so you can fill in. Once you fill in and make a good impression,,,,you wait for an opening and then pounce when it becomes available...thats it.

Are you interested in IV therapy and PICC insertion or are you just interested in working in an infusion center or MD office. You will get much more experience if you work in a hospital based infusion suite or center. In either case you need quite a bit of vascular access experience,such as IV starts.port access.chemotherapy administration.PICC care.IV drug administration and blood products,therapeutic phlebotomy and maybe PICC insertion. Some typical drugs you will see in an infusion center are all kinds of antibiotics,IVIG, Remicade.Iron products,all types of chemotherapy,plus more. I think it would be a bit difficult to start there without a good medical surgical background or oncology background but that does not mean you can not set goals and work towards that. I can tell you what to focus on and study and what kind of job to take to work your way into that. if that is what you have a passion for I say do not give up your dream or desire to do so!!!!

I would recommend getting some hospital experience first. Infusion center is where i would like to be headed, it's a nice setting. If chemo/oncology is your interest specifically, seek out a hospital based oncology unit. There is so much to learn regarding chemotherapy, plus the hands on skill of venous access and managing central lines, it will serve you well. Outpatient infusion centers tend to be very FAST PACED which as a new grad isn't going to be your strong point. Also depending on where you are, a doctor's office won't have as many resources to go to if you have a question.
Best of luck with your decision.

Hi There,
I actually got a job on a med/surg/oncology unit at a hospital with a out patient cancer center there as well. I swore I would NEVER do med/surg but was thrilled when the OM offered me a job in my last semester of nursing school. I came on board shortly after graduating and I LOVED it even the med surg part. Right now I am on a leave due to the fact that I failed boards the first time around due to my own stupidity. I decided to work and study for boards and take care of a husband 4 kids and house not to mention the dog LOL. Anyways I am on hold till Jan when I can retake. My advice is this goto a hospital that has a cancer floor or even if it is included with med/surg and try to get in there for the experience you will work for a while then you can take a class to get chemo certified at this point you have worked with cancer patients AND you got your 1 year experience in med/surg then you can goto a cancer center or out patient center. Good luck I CAN"T WAIT TO GET BACK ON MY FLOOR