New Grad-Oncology/BMT Floor

Hello to all and let me start by saying it is so nice to see so many of you going straight into Oncology!! You will never regret the impact that you will have on both your patients and their families. Upon graduation of nursing school, I oriented with an Oncology charge nurse. I opted for my year of Med/Surg first before transferring to Oncology. I'm so glad I did it that way. I am now working as a charge nurse on the Oncology unit and I love it. Oh, by the way, I graduated school in Dec of '06
As far as what to expect with working in this area, here are just a few but every unit in every hospital is different:
- Fast-paced, the patients' conditions can and will change quickly.
- You will find the utmost appreciation from both patients and their families for all that you do.
- Emotions, this is probably the hardest part with some of the patients due to the fact that some of them are here for an extended amount of time and you can't help but get to know their families on a personal level so when you lose one of them, it is hard but just tell yourself, their battle is over, no more side effects, no more fatigue, treatment, testing.

I hope you all find oncology as enjoyable and exciting as I do. You will constantly learn if you let yourself.

Hello everyone!

I just got hired for the Oncology/BMT RN position. I'm nervous too but I'm excited to start my nursing career.

Best wishes everyone!

Hello All. I am happy to see so many people interested in oncology. I worked as an aide in oncology and loved it. The patient population is so special. I graduate in May 2009 and plan on working at the same hospital in oncology afterward. I am currently trying to get an internship there also. In Care I, Care II, and Pediatric clinicals I always tried to pick oncology patients (until the instructors caught on and told me I needed to learn about other disease processes also).

Throughout the years, my family has lost loved-ones to cancer; however, for as long as I can remember, the reason I wanted to work with these special patients is d/t the fact many people do not. I am always for the "underdog" so to speak.

Right now, I am hoping to get some BMT experience, but will hold tight and see what happens. I was wondering, do you get frustrated when you tell people that you are going into oncology and they grimace and say, "Why would you want to do THAT?" Of course, there are other rude comments made, but I'm getting tired of it. I just tell them that oncology is no different than ICU, ER, CV, etc. You are going to lose patients and some DO RECOVER and lead quality lives.

I apologize for the ramble, I'm just excited to see you all here.

KOT

Sprklplnty -- sorry to hear about the boards. When are you scheduled to take it again? I think that is awesome that your nurse mgr wants to you stay.

I'm glad this thread is here. I just got hired onto an Oncology unit as an RN and will start Sept 22. I'm very interested to read how everyone's experience is as a new Oncology nurse.

Sprklplnty,

If you have not take NCLEX-RN again since your posting, send me a PM if you are interested & I'll share some info with you. You will succeed on your second round!

I started with oncology 4 1/2 months ago. Still a deer in headlights. I ask so many questions all the time, I think I'm driving people crazy. So busy that I can't spend the time to research patient's condition. I can't wait til the day I feel certain enough to NOT ask questions.

Hi all, I was a new grad a couple of years ago and have always wanted to go to ED, but needed experience of course so I went to Med/Surg for a couple of months, and then when an opening came for Oncology I transferred there and have been there since. I have always planned on going to ED but always hesitated b/c of how I loved being in oncology. So now I am actually thinking about going to ED and keeping my oncology position as per diem or part-time.

I had to get chemo-cert after 6mo. in the unit and also requiered tele.

hello hello. also new grad here that just got hired to a oncology/transplant unit in philadelphia pa. i'm pretty excited to start and have tried to calm my fears by looking through the "new grad" forums. they were pretty helpful but i'm still not sure what to expect from the patients on my unit. i did like my manager from the interview and the rest of the staff seemed very progressive which is positive. i will be working nights starting nov. 3rd. any tips from experienced nurses?

Wow! It's been a while since anyone picked up this thread. How is everyone doing? I'm starting on an oncology floor next month myself.