Chemo Exposure, What to do, Worried, Precautions

[New RN Grad 2008]

Dear All,

I am a newly grad RN considering Oncology. I am concerned about exposure to chemo drugs which could potentially be harmful to my health. I have been working as a Nursing Assistant in the hospital for over a year now. I understand that in the health care field, there is always risks in every speciality. For example, in psych nursing - violent patients; needle-sticks, air-borne precautions, C-diff, MRSA, radiation exposure. I understand that in most major hospital nowadays, nurses don't mix the chemo drugs, the pharmarcy do. In most major hospitals, would the pharmacy also spike the chemo drugs?

Since I do not have a lot of facts about safety on chemo drug exposures, I am VERY CONCERNED on getting cancer down the years. In the job interview with the onocology floor, I was told that I would be on orientation for 3 months. Then, after 6 months, I would get certified in hanging chemo. So, given that it takes 6 months for one to get certified in hanging chemo, that says the hospital is making sure a nurse is PROPERLY TRAINED before administering such a dangerous drug right?

I am confused about my fear in chemo drug exposure. I want to almost to consider to turn down the oncology floor and request to go into med/surg, where it could be "relatively safer." I have been working in the ER for the past year, while in the ER, I worry about being exposed to everything that comes in thru the ER. Now, I am worrying about chemo drug exposure in Oncology. Will this worry ever end?

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I work in a lg teaching hospital, pharmacy mixes and now spikes the chemo. I have been in oncology for many years, hung chemo and pushed vesicants even when pregnant, actually stuck my exposed hand in cisplatin when pregnant, (that one worried me a little), to be honest the chemo never bothered me, I was always more concerned with radiation exposure. I think maybe the unknown is worse than reality, then again everyone has their own "quirks" or anxieties. what one person finds freaky, doesn't bother the next. You won't know until you try, but I don;t think it's scary at all, you should be just fine

[CalypsoRN]

what are the effects of radiation exposure?

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

If you follow the chemo administration guidelines your overall safety is greatly improved. You will have access to special gloves,impermeable gown and goggles and mask. Some nurses get really lax with the precautions and this always bothers me B/C it involves everyone else working in the area. Yes you are correct in thinking this is an extremely critical skill to learn. You will learn that checking and calculating the dosage for yourself is critical as is making sure you have the right route. Most chemo deaths are caused by incorrect dosage and incorrect route. I say go for it and see if you like it, Believe in your ability to learn it, then do it while protecting yourself from inadvertent exposure.

[nursemary9, BSN, RN]

I work in a lg teaching hospital, pharmacy mixes and now spikes the chemo. I have been in oncology for many years, hung chemo and pushed vesicants even when pregnant, actually stuck my exposed hand in cisplatin when pregnant, (that one worried me a little), to be honest the chemo never bothered me, I was always more concerned with radiation exposure. I think maybe the unknown is worse than reality, then again everyone has their own "quirks" or anxieties. what one person finds freaky, doesn't bother the next. You won't know until you try, but I don;t think it's scary at all, you should be just fine

Pretty much the same for me. MANY years in Oncology--many years before we started all the protective measures. Never had any problems, I never really worried about it, either.

[mytoby12]

I work in Oncology and chemo to me is not my biggest worry. It is all the MRSA, VRE, C Diff we have on the floor. I know that is on every floor but with patients who have low immune systems, it is easier for them to contact these bugs.