Pediatric oncology

I started off on a General Peds floor, but my hospital was also the only hospital in the area that did Peds Heme/Onc so, after four months... I was chemo certified and IN LOVE with this patient population. However, it started to effect me... so I fill obligated to warn you, be prepared for heartbreak! It is very tough!!! It is hard on the hospital floor because we see the sickest kids... and grow very attached to them and their families. Try very hard to remember the "good stories" of kids that beat the odds and survived... I am not saying it's impossible, but after a particularly hard couple of months, and with a couple of tough losses, I made a very hard (innocent) mistake that has ended with me no longer working for that hospital.

You will LOVE it, but it will wear on you before you even realize what is happening, so be aware. Do research on "Compassion Fatigue" and ways to prevent it and burnout! Good luck to you, I am sure you will be a fabulous and successful nurse!