Pros and Cons

Specialties Oncology

Published

I am currently a nursing student and looking into oncology nursing. I always have thought that this is the field I would love to work in, but would like to hear from actual oncologist nurses who do the job everyday! What are the pros and cons on the oncology unit. What do you like and dislike about your job as an oncologist nurse?

Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in Oncology/Hematology.

Pros:

-many of our patients have long or frequent stays so we have the opportunity to get to know them and their families

-it is very challenging and the patients are often complex with many underlying medical conditions

-very good for learning, I have gained so much experience with PEG tubes, central lines, chemotherapy, NG tubes..many skills that are valuable to my career

Cons:

-many patients' conditions worsen rather than improve, this is especially hard after getting to know them for months.

-my floor also has hospice or comfort care patients which can be hard to get used to

See if you can do your preceptorship/role transition on an oncology floor, or get a job as an aide so you can see what it's like. Some people love it (I love it!) some people don't. Good luck!

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Specializes in oncology, med surg & corrections.

I have worked with Oncology patients for over 13 years, along with other areas, such as L&D, ER, med-surg, corrections and I would never do anything else besides Oncology. My view is, I feel it is a privledge to be allowed to care form someone in their hardest battles of their life and if it turns out , they are not going to make it, I will be there to their end, doing whatever possible to keep them comfortable. You can learn so much medically, for these patients can be extremely high acuity along with their chemo treatments. I agree with other comment, to just precept or spend time on an Oncology floor, you will figure out at that time, if it's for you. Nurses generally, love it or hate it. Good luck to you!!!!

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You will become a master of central venous lines! How to heparinize and activase them - especially if you work on a Heme/Onc floor. I've worked there for 2 years. In the same breath, it's easy to lose your IV skills, or at least it was for me. These chemo-riddled veins are either hardened or non-existent. The census is usually Leukemia and Lymphoma with occasional solid turmors, a lot of admissions for chemo infusion, and lots of relapses, and complications from cancer/chemo. It's a difficult floor to work because most of the (AML diagnoses)....die. So you have to find some way to deal with it, to help the families deal with it... (Ex: Dying patient, 98 lbs, 45 y/o F, 45 resp/min, non-rebreather, 90 systolic..and she was on 8mg dilaudid /hr with 1mg Ativan q 1 hr. So, you want this patient to have a peaceful death but when you realize Dilaudid is Morphine x 8, and she is actively dying on your shift...you question yourself when the family asks, can she have another ativan dose d/t coughing fits that make her even more uncomfortable - and u just gave it 20 min ago), So of course getting orders in a timely manner from the MDs, ethical questions like the example stated, assessing and knowing what to do for chemotherapy and blood product reactions, controlling pain, KNOWING THE CODE STATUS, Becoming famliar with DIC, TTP, ITP, and neutropenic fever. The dying part has been the hardest for me. I have recently taken an outpatient prn job, for gyn/onc infusion - it's better, not as much loss. I do see patients, so hopeful, because some of the doctors aren't straight up with the information...but then again some patients don't want to know. Their own choice, so I try to be loving, smiling, helpful, and just as I've read in these forums, They are the best population. A lot of my patients apologize for asking for me, they try to be so independent especially in the beginning, and the end. Be prepared to cry.

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Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

Thanks for that wonderful post Onc Nurse 1--so true. I've only just worked in Oncology a short time and can attest to the high acuity. I had precepted in oncology so knew what to expect, but had done an externship in post surgical and had gotten used to pts getting better quickly and getting d/c'd at a faster rate. You do really get to know your pts on an onc floor.

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Specializes in Oncology; Pediatric Oncology..

I work at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and let me tell you this...

Be prepared to see the human spirit and the will to live like you've never seen before. Prepare yourself for laughter, heartache, frustration, tears, and the incredible honor of walking and working side by side with an individual who is literally fighting for their life every second of every day. Nothing is more rewarding or heartbreaking (at times) than Oncology. GOD Bless you and the best of luck to you :)

Karra

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