Student Nurse, First Clinical: Oncology!

[NoleMercy]

Hi everyone,

I am starting an accelerated BSN program this summer, and just registered and got my first choice clinical for this summer, which will place me in the Oncology unit! I am super excited for it... and wanted to try this particular section first because I think I would like to work oncology after graduating. I'd like to "give back" to all those doctors and nurses that helped out my family/family members when they've been sick with cancer, and I think quite honestly it's fascinating.

That being said -- what is some advice you'd give a first clinical nursing student that will be on the oncology floor? Tips? What to expect? Any information would be helpful/much appreciated.

Thanks you all so much!

[Testa Rosa, RN]

Congratulations--you will be working with a unique subset of the pt population during an intense time in their lives and you will be learning a lot!

Read up on your pain and nausea management as you will definitely be dealing with those issues a lot (and most onc pts need both an oral and IV med to help stay on top of the pain).

Lots of ports and sterile dressing changes. Read up on Sepsis, Neutropenia as well as Hemolytic disease. Oncology is like typical med/surg yet the pts are more accute as the chemo brings them to their knees. Cancer can affect any organ therefore you are often dealing with multiple systems failure in one pt.

Be ready just to listen and hold a hand; to be present as that pt verbalizes their fears/hopes. And, be there to help with the mundane tasks as well--you will be surprised at what you will learn.