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Discussion

Calling for Oncology

Hello fellow nurses,

I am a recent cancer survivor. I am looking for jobs after not have worked for the last 3 years. My specialty is telemetry. I got this strong urge to try to get a job on an inpatient oncology unit. I guess it is difficult to leave that world once you have been there. Some people advised me that it would be too much to handle for me emotionally.

What do you think? Has anybody been in the same situation?

Should I mention my cancer experience and diagnosis with a manager if I get an interview?

Thank you.

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    I haven’t and I know you didn’t ask this but since I work in Oncology I think you might want to consider starting back in telemetry and getting into the swing of things before you add the intensely personal and emotional aspect of caring for cancer patients. Three years is a long time. It very well might be too much too soon.

    That being said I work with at least 2 survivors. One is fine and the other’s a hot mess but we love her.

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    Wuzzie, thank you very much for finding time to reply to me. I think you are right. Cancer took so much from me. I am afraid I will end up wailing in the middle of the shift if something triggers it. Nobody needs it. Will try telemetry.

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    I'm a cancer survivor (HL) and I work Oncology and love it. When I'm at work I'm with "my people" and feel I have a unique perspective to their needs. Can't imagine doing anything else, other than teaching, but even then I anticipate becoming a nurse educator there at some point.

    I became a nurse to become an Oncology nurse - I don't know if that's the case for you, but that's what drove me through nursing school.

    A warning, though - sometimes you can have survivor's guilt. I just saw someone my age (early 30's) get grim news and it stuck with me for days.

    However, I would probably heed Wuzzie's advice and get back into Telemetry for a year or so to get back into the swing of things. I think it's better to start somewhere you know than with what you don't know.

    Furthermore, after cancer, I had a "new normal." I've never been 100% since my cancer diagnosis and treatment and have had to learn to navigate this life with some long term side effects, such as neuropathy.

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    • Author

    DowntheRiver,

    Thank you for your response. The fear that the cancer is going to return is always with me. To witness first hand what could be awaiting for me down the road could be too much. I've accepted a telemetry job. I stay in touch with a lot of people on oncology forums because, like you said, they are "my people". Thank you.

    Tanya

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    Hi,

    I actually know of a position that would be in Oncology but it is a sales role for Oncology with a Specialty Pharmacy. If you would be interested.

    Let me know.

    Thanks

    Teresa

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