New Grad Nurse in Hem/Onc, Stem Cell Transplant

1. Hi all,
   I was just hired at a prestigious hospital in Chicago as a New Grad Nurse in Hem/Onc, Stem Cell Transplant Unit!! They called the day after I interviewed & I'm still in shock!!!
   
   If any other new RNs are starting in this area, let's get together on this thread to talk!
   
   Experienced RNs, what has been your experience on a Stem Cell Transplant Unit??
   
   I am currently a CNA on an Oncology unit for the past 14 months, so I have some experience here.

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2. 

   About sj73201

   Joined: Jul '09; Posts: 184; Likes: 55
   Specialty: oncology

   21 Comments

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3. 
   Jun 16, '12

   Congrats! Stem cell transplant is a great place to work. I started as a new grad and am now returning to BMT after a brief absence. I really enjoy having the patients on the floor longer, as it gives us a chance to know them a little. BMT has its own set of common chemo regimens and terminology (mostly day + or - for transplant countdown), but you will get used to that quickly. Do you know what the ratios on your floor are?
4. 
   Jun 16, '12

   Congrats!! What hospital? I have a friend that I graduated with last year who is on the hem/onc floor at NMH and loves it. I have just started my search in Chicago (I'm currently an RN in St. Louis but want to relocate). Any tips for job hunting there? I know the job market is not the best right now...
5. 
   Jun 17, '12

   seriously?! that's where i just got hired!! is she on nights? that's what ill be working.
   i'm a new grad myself so i just apply to onc because i love it and work as a cna in onc now.
   
   to answer your question tammy1019, i believe the ratio is 4-5 on nights. 7p-7a
6. 
   Jun 17, '12

   I just got hired on hem/onc and a bmt unit about 2 months ago as a new grad! I will be finishing up orientation in a few weeks! So far I really love my job on the hem/onc side our ratio is 1:4 and bmt is 1:3.
7. 
   Jun 17, '12

   I think she is on days but I'm not certain. She absolutely loves it though. She did an externship on that floor two summers ago. I also have a friend in the NICU at NMH and says it's wonderful too. Seems like a great place to work! How did you go about your job hunt in Chicago? Did you just apply to all of the major hospitals and did you specifically want hem/onc? I want to move to Chicago so bad!!
8. 
   Jul 11, '12

   Well I'm not in the Chicago area (Texas) but I did get hired onto an oncology floor as a new grad and I start Monday. I have actually precepted on this floor my last semester, so I kind of know what's going on and I really like my new co-workers and I love my long-term patients. Can't wait to really get started.
9. 
   Jul 12, '12

   I started in a high acuity BMTU as a new grad 4 years ago. It was rough to start, but I quickly learned to love it. Let me know if you have any specific questions.
10. 
    Jul 12, '12

    I was hired in March in to a new grad program in California in heme/onc. So far, I love it! It has the tendency to be very emotional, which can be just as hard as the physical work. A very rewarding field to be in, though. Glad it's where I'm starting out
11. 
    Aug 2, '12

    eah9r3
    
    

    did your friend share anything about her orientation to you? i have been calling the manager with no return call. i don't start orientation until aug. 20, so maybe i'm too early? do you know if she felt prepared following her unit orientation? i heard orientation on the unit is shortened to save $$. a couple people i graduated with have gotten a job there on l&d and postpartum and said their orientation would be like this.
12. 
    Aug 20, '12

    Hope your first day of orientation went well.
13. 
    Aug 20, '12

    haha how'd you know i had orientation today? It was great!
14. 
    Aug 21, '12

    Your previous post said you start aug 20. I just happened to be flipping through my old posts yesterday and saw it, so I thought I'd wish you luck. Glad it went well!

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