Help! New position in Bone Marrow Transplant

ohiomom · Aug 9, 2005

Well, I am a new grad and start at the Cleveland Clinic Bone Marrow Transplant Unit on August 22. And I am feeling really nervous about it as well. My orientation is 9 weeks though since I am a new grad, experienced RN's get 4 weeks orientation. I say go for it. If you stay somewhere you're not happy at, you may regret it later on. If you need more time at the end of your orientation, just ask for it. Maybe ask how long new grad orientation is and see if maybe you can do an amount of time in between the two, ie yours is 4 weeks, so say new grad is 9 weeks, see if you could do a 6-7 week orientation. Worst they can say is no or see where you are at the end of 4 weeks. Good luck

SarasotaRN2b · Aug 11, 2005

If you don't feel comfortable in your medical skills, I would suggest some time on a med-surg floor first. Even though you have been a nurse for over a year, I believe that you will use more skills used on a med/surg floor than on a med psych floor. JMHO.

Ladybug45RN · Aug 12, 2005

I worked on a psych unit several years fter I graduated. When I switch to medical it was on a BMT unit. I have now been working BMT (pediatric) for 11 years. I don't see myself changing jobs anytime soon.

julieK · Aug 14, 2005

You will do great on the bmt unit. Also, you will be surprised at how much the psych experience will help you. I always have the hardest time with the "hand holding" aspect of the job. You will probably breeze right through that, and the rest are just skills that are learned with time, like any other skill.

Best of luck,

Julie in NYC

renerian, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2005

I started as a new grad on a hem/onc/bmt unit. I learned so much so fast..You will to.....yes the patients are very ILL on that floor......

You can do it.........be open to learning alot..

renerian

5thflrnurse · Aug 18, 2005

Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement! I think I will accept the position, and just ask for a longer orientation if I feel I need it. This opportunity is too good to pass up! Good luck on your first day Ohiomom, let us know how it goes!

CanadianNurseAbroad · Aug 21, 2005

Hey there,

I just wanted to congratulate you on the new position!! I graduated and worked for 11 months on a Thoracic Surgery/Resiratory Medicine unit before I made the switch to Haem/Onc/BMT. I would have to say that you have nothing to worry about at all. Any new job is going to be nerve wracking, but I am pretty certain that the senior members of staff won't let you get in out of your depths. Most units have some form of training wether it is formal or informal that will take you through the process of BMTs and prepare you for life on the ward. Senior members of staff will be available to answer all your questions and give you advice on what to do in various sitations that arise on a BMT unit, as you move from novice to expert So relax sit back an enjoy. Haematology is such an interesting area to work in, there is always something to learn. For myself after eight months on a Haem/Onc ward in Canada, I spread my wings and moved to London England where I have taken Clinical Haematology courses at uni level, learned apheresis, and have moved up through the ranks from a Junior staff nurse to a Senior staff nurse and then to my current position of Junior Charge Nurse. (They do things a little differently over here!) I have every confidence in you! As long as you are willing to learn you will make an excellent BMT nurse! Just remember, when you feel that the nurses around you know everything and you know nothing, they were once in your shoes!

Pete :rolleyes:

BSN2004NSU, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2005

If you're already on the BMT unit, I hope you're enjoying it. I have been working as a new grad at a local BMT unit for 7 months and I am loving it! The patients are the best and they can be the sickest, but I enjoy what I do. I've learned a lot since I've been working here and I hope to learn more. I've learned from experienced nurses and reading books. I think you're going to enjoy it. Good luck!

jsteine1 · Aug 22, 2005

Hello- I have a question for all of you working in BMT. I have just been offered a RN position on a BMT unit at a university hospital. The position will be 12 hour shifts, days. I was told my orientation will include one week of hospital orientation, PBDS assessment, and then my orientation will be tailored to fit my specific needs. The interviewer told me orientation is generally 4 weeks, but can be extended. This unit hires new grads, so I assume they are open to training people! I hope so- this is my dream job, and the reason I went into nursing (to work in Oncology), but I'm so nervous, I can't sleep at night! I have been a nurse for a little over a year now, but when it comes to this area of nursing, I might as well be a new grad. I have been working on a Medical Psychiatry floor since graduation (heavy on the Psych., very little Medical!), and in the past year have had maybe 2 or 3 patients on IV fluids/meds! So my question is, am I getting in over my head? I would be leaving a job I feel very comfortable in, but am not passionate about. Any help would be very much appreciated!

Congrats on your new position on a BMT! I was involved in the opening of Sloan Ketterings first BMT unit in the 70's. It was exciting, terrifying and an education beyond compare. Success rates, patients and techniques are very different now, all much better. We were participating in clinical research in those days. You will have the pleasure, Im sure of seeing many of your patients feeling well and going home to lead a normal life. Best of luck to you!

photonurse11 · Nov 11, 2005

I have been a med/surg/onc. nurse for 3 years and moved to a bmt floor over 3.5 years ago. You will do fine. These pt. do have special needs and are time consuming. But the longer you do practice at it and understand why we do what we do, the better you will be. GOOD LUCK!!

HappyJaxRN · Nov 11, 2005

Hello- I have a question for all of you working in BMT. I have just been offered a RN position on a BMT unit at a university hospital. The position will be 12 hour shifts, days. I was told my orientation will include one week of hospital orientation, PBDS assessment, and then my orientation will be tailored to fit my specific needs. The interviewer told me orientation is generally 4 weeks, but can be extended. This unit hires new grads, so I assume they are open to training people! I hope so- this is my dream job, and the reason I went into nursing (to work in Oncology), but I'm so nervous, I can't sleep at night! I have been a nurse for a little over a year now, but when it comes to this area of nursing, I might as well be a new grad. I have been working on a Medical Psychiatry floor since graduation (heavy on the Psych., very little Medical!), and in the past year have had maybe 2 or 3 patients on IV fluids/meds! So my question is, am I getting in over my head? I would be leaving a job I feel very comfortable in, but am not passionate about. Any help would be very much appreciated!

In nursing, we're always learning new things. Spread your wings and do what your heart tells you to do. I think it's a great move, if it's what you want to do. You're going to be afraid. Mostly, I think because, we fear the unknown. It's going to be different as well. But you can do it. Good luck.