Advice on getting an oncology position as a new grad- Atlanta

Specialties Oncology

Published

Hello There,

I'm a new grad RN about to relocate to Atlanta from another state. I have applied to Emory and Northside new grad programs but haven't had any luck. I've also been told that most hospitals won't take a new grad into oncology which is the area I'm passionate about. I'd love to hear any advice people have for getting a job as a new grad in Atlanta and also tips for going straight into oncology (regardless of location). Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I have some standard suggestions for people who are new to oncology or interested in oncology:

1. Join Oncology Nurses Society. Even if you aren't yet working in oncology, it will give you discounts on publications, CEUs, etc.

2. Join your local chapter of ONS. You can usually get some CEUs, plus it will give you opportunities to network, sometimes with members who are in a position to hire.

3. Even if you have the desire to work in a large university-based program, try branching out and applying to smaller hospitals. Smaller hospitals may be more willing to give a new grad a chance. Don't write off units that are combined med. surg./oncology. It may not be your heart's desire, but it will give you exposure to oncology patients.

4. If you are interviewing for an oncology position, think carefully about explaining why you want to work in oncology. Why is it your passion? If you've had a family member who has dealt with a cancer diagnosis, don't be afraid to mention that, but don't hang all of your hopes on it. Oncology is a challenging specialty that involves multiple body systems. It requires the ability to be detail oriented (very detail oriented) and the ability to respond to changes in a patient's condition quickly. Ask one of your friends from nursing school to pretend to be interviewing you so you can practice explaining your interest in oncology.

5. There are some free CEUs online related to oncology. Take some of them. You could include in your cover letter that you've taken some courses (list a few) on oncology issues. It may show the person doing your interview/reading your resume that you have initiative and are committed to the specialty.

Those are but a few things; there are several posters here like SoldierNurse22 who also have really good ideas. Hopefully, they'll add to my list.

Best wishes on your job hunt.

OCNRN63

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Here are a few of the sites I use for free CEU:

1. www.noep.org (Nurse Oncology Education Program)

2. Medical News and Free CME from MedPage Today

3. Nursing Continuing Education | Free CE, Self-Study Courses, Unlimited Nurse CEs, More

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I think it depends on the hospital that you're applying to. I did my preceptorship in peds hem/onc and I was able to get interviews for oncology in peds and adult oncology. I definitely think that the fact that I did my preceptorship in hem/onc has helped me get interviews for that unit. So there's hope for you!

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OCNRN63,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and insightful reply. I didn't include my background in my description which I suppose would've helped ;-p I have been an active member of the Chicago ONS chapter for the past 2 years, including serving on the newsletter committee. I've also volunteered in a hospital for the past 2 years as an American Cancer Society patient navigator. Prior to attending nursing school I worked in an outpatient cancer center as an employee of the hospital delivering oncology massage to patients in treatment (I've been specially certified since 2006). I have many CEUs from attending ONS meetings as well as several I have paid for and taken from ONS online. I include most of this info on my resume and even include a small description of what inspired my personal passion for working with cancer patients (diagnosis of a dear friend) as a bullet point on my resume. What I've heard so far from Emory St. Joseph's is that it is their policy never to allow new grads onto the oncology unit. Ideally I'd prefer to start my first position at a hospital with an active mentoring program to help ease my transition and soak up as much information as I can when I start my first job. The other places I have applied were Piedmont and Northside and neither list oncology as an option for the new grad/nurse residency program.

I really liked your suggestion of looking to smaller community based hospitals. I'm not from the Atlanta area, I wonder if anyone could suggest one or two for me to investigate?

Thanks for all your help!!

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Thank you I will bookmark these. Thanks so much for your willingness to help. I am truly passionate about becoming an oncology nurse so any encouragement I receive really means a lot.

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CherGC,

I did my Collaborative rotation, which was precepted, in a the infusion center of the cancer treatment center of a small local hospital. I do include this on my resume but I still keep getting kind of shut down due to being a new grad. I wonder if there's a better way to showcase this? I'm open for any tips from you on this front! Thanks!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
OCNRN63,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and insightful reply. I didn't include my background in my description which I suppose would've helped ;-p I have been an active member of the Chicago ONS chapter for the past 2 years, including serving on the newsletter committee. I've also volunteered in a hospital for the past 2 years as an American Cancer Society patient navigator. Prior to attending nursing school I worked in an outpatient cancer center as an employee of the hospital delivering oncology massage to patients in treatment (I've been specially certified since 2006). I have many CEUs from attending ONS meetings as well as several I have paid for and taken from ONS online. I include most of this info on my resume and even include a small description of what inspired my personal passion for working with cancer patients (diagnosis of a dear friend) as a bullet point on my resume. What I've heard so far from Emory St. Joseph's is that it is their policy never to allow new grads onto the oncology unit. Ideally I'd prefer to start my first position at a hospital with an active mentoring program to help ease my transition and soak up as much information as I can when I start my first job. The other places I have applied were Piedmont and Northside and neither list oncology as an option for the new grad/nurse residency program.

I really liked your suggestion of looking to smaller community based hospitals. I'm not from the Atlanta area, I wonder if anyone could suggest one or two for me to investigate?

Thanks for all your help!!

I am very impressed with all that you are already doing in oncology and for oncology patients. I think the places that are rejecting you out of hand are missing out on the opportunity for a dedicated employee who truly has a passion for oncology patients.

I don't live in GA so I have no idea where you might look for a position in an oncology unit. Perhaps if you do a Google search for hospitals with oncology units in the area you might get some suggestions.

What about the outpatient center where you volunteered? Would you be able to get a position there? Again, I know it's not exactly what you're looking for, but it might be a way for you to get your foot in the door down the road in an academic center.

I don't normally suggest that people get their chemotherapy provider card until they're working, but in your case I think it might be to your advantage. Now that you can do it online through ONS it's easier to fit into your schedule.

I really wish you the best. If I were a manager looking for new staff, you would be the sort of candidate I would want on my unit: committed, energetic, and dedicated.

I really believe you are going to find that job; it may take a while, but it's out there. Best wishes!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
CherGC,

I did my Collaborative rotation, which was precepted, in a the infusion center of the cancer treatment center of a small local hospital. I do include this on my resume but I still keep getting kind of shut down due to being a new grad. I wonder if there's a better way to showcase this? I'm open for any tips from you on this front! Thanks!

Can you provide an example of how you include it in your resume? We may be able to help you to reword it or frame it better for you?

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Sure I'll provide the whole thing lol:

CAREER PROFILE

Dedicated patient care professional with 5+ years’ experience in therapeutic communication and complimentary therapy related to oncology specializing in patient-centered palliative interventions. Now seeking to contribute my experience, skills and expertise to _________ as an oncology nurse.

EDUCATION

Chamberlain College of Nursing, Chicago IL June 2014

Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Magna Cum Laude

  • Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing – Inductee
  • National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) – President & Founder Chicago Campus Chapter

LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS

Registered Nurse, State of GA License # *********

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association March 2014

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers, American Heart Association March 2013

Clinical Oncology Massage Certification, William Beaumont School of Integrative Medicine May 2008

Naturopathic Bodywork Practitioner Certification, Naturopathic Institute June 2002

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

Clinical Massage Therapist – Central l Michigan Community Hospital (Mt. Pleasant, MI) April 2006 – August 2008

  • Created hospital’s first massage therapy department collaborating with various departments hospital wide
  • Formed and implemented the Cancer Patient Massage Fund which provided free massage for cancer patients in the cancer center 3 days per week

  • Losing a loved one to breast cancer as well as providing her comfort care allows me to have deep empathy for patients and their families, which is at the core of my passion for oncology nursing.

In Home Caregiver – Navarro Homecare (Blissfield, MI) May 2000 – August 2004

  • Provided In home 24-hour care to a quadriplegic individual
  • Tasks included oral medication administration, manual lifting, straight catheterization, suppository and enema administration, bathing, feeding, dressing, and passive ROM exercise

RELEVANT CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Cancer Treatment Centers of America All Units (Excluding ICU & Med/Surg) Community Health

Resurrection Medical Center Cancer Treatment/ Infusion Unit Collaborative Health

La Rabida Children’s Hospital Pediatric Acute/Long Term Care Pediatrics

Presence St. Mary’s Hospital Med/Surg, Telemetry (2 Rotations) Adult Health I & II

PUBLICATIONS

Chicago Chapter Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Newsletter Chicago, IL

  • “Evidence-Based Practice: Massage and the Oncology Patient” May 2013
  • “Reinventing October”; Breast Cancer Awareness October 2012

Morning Sun Mt. Pleasant, MI

  • “Massage and Cancer” June 2008

VOLUNTEER WORK

American Cancer Society Patient Services Navigator, Resurrection Hospital November 2012 – Present

William Beaumont Hospital Inpatient Clinical Massage December 2007 – June 2008

Isabella Community Cancer Services Board Member/CAM Coordinator August 2006 – July 2008

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Chicago Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society Newsletter Committee member May 2011 – Present

Oncology Nursing Society (National) April 2011 – Present

Palliative and Hospice Nursing Association September 2013 – Present

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If you don't mind me asking, is there any particular reason why you're moving to Atlanta? And is Atlanta the only place you've been trying to find a job? I'm asking because I know Atlanta has a lot of new grad programs. If you look in other hospitals that don't have new grad programs then that may help, especially in states like Texas, Louisiana and Missouri. Also, are you submitting a cover letter to each hospital as well? I submit one even if they don't require it because you are able to explain more why you chose oncology as a specialty.

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Hi CherGC,

Thanks for your help. I'm moving to Atlanta to be near my Grandmother in order to spend more time with her and oversee her care. I do submit a cover letter but usually it's the "general" version rather than the oncology version I have. This is due to the fact that none of the new grad programs I have applied to offer oncology positions and so I don't want to pigeonhole myself and be dismissed from consideration. If I can't get a job in oncology I still need to find a job of some kind! lol The only hospital that I've seen that even allows new grads to apply to oncology is Grady and I did apply to Heme/Onc position there a couple of days ago. So far I've applied to Emory, Northside, Piedmont, and Grady which all have new grad programs. I have been googling "community hospital Atlanta" but haven't come up with anything yet. It's a little tough because I'm not from the area so that's why I've come on here to ask my Allnurses team for help :-)

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