giving chemo for the first time, HELP!!!

[mzjennx, BSN, RN]

Hello. I have been working on a Oncology unit for a year now. I am in the process of becoming chemo certified. I am very anxious, but definitely excited. I want to keep up to date with my chemo/cancer knowledge. I was just wondering where I can find CE for oncology, pain, hospice, and palliative care nursing. Ive been looking at Medscape and Discovery Health.

Also I was wondering where can I find more information on best and safe practice for handling chemo. I am going to start giving chemo tomorrow and I am super scared because I have never had a child and I do not want to have miscarriages or birth defects. Plus I dont want to get cancer myself.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Oncology Nursing Society will have the resources for everything you are looking for. I would recommend joining (not required, but you get discounts on CE, manuals, etc.)

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Yes ONS will have all you need. Please do not take any short cuts even if you see other nurses do it. If you see unsafe practices...speak up!!!!! Yes...... sometimes its a pain to wear all that garb...but you not only protect yourself you also protect all of your co-workers and everyone else around it. Just do the right thing and follow all the guidelines

[mzjennx, BSN, RN]

thanks guys. I dont take chemo lightly. i signed up for ONS and I have been doing the free CE. Gonna start doing the other courses too when I have more money =D