peds chemo class

[smurfynursey]

Hi everyone,

I have a question. I am a new grad (sort of...been an RN for almost a year). I am taking a chemo/biotherapy class in April so I have a better chance of getting into peds oncology. The schedule I got for the class says that you get a provider card if you pass the post test...is there a way to prepare for it? I really want to do well and not waste my money by not doing well.

[Leecy]

What class are you taking? Is it with your institution or a national course?

[smurfynursey]

I am taking the Pediatric Chemotherapy and biotherapy course. I believe its sponsored by APON. I am taking it at Childrens in Boston.

[Leecy]

I would ask the floor you hope to work for if the course will help. I work for a teaching hospital and we have our own classes. We have had travel nurses come to our facility with their national provider card and get upset because they must still take our class and pass our test before they can give chemo. Facilities without their own program sometimes use the national courses but you really have to check. When I started in oncology I went through our classes, then later decided to take the ONS chemo and biotherapy course on my own to give me a better understanding. It was expensive and nothing was covered that I already didn't learn at my hospital. I am now certified CPON ( pediatric oncology nurse) after caring for kids for the required amount of hours and passing that test, but that is different. Again, check the facility you want to work for. If you aren't employed with them they will still sometimes let you take their classes. Join APHON if you haven't already. http://www.aphon.org/. They are a great resource. Good luck and be persistent.

[smurfynursey]

I emailed the nurse manager at another facility, and she reccomended it. I am looking into joining aphon - I plan on it when I have money (ha!). What is the CPON test/reqs look like? that is my ultimate goal and pretty much why i became a nurse...

[Leecy]

You need one year minimum as an RN and at least 1000 hours caring for peds/onc before you take the test. The test is NCLEX-like, but not that hard once you have been caring for these kids for a while.