I want to be an Oncology Nurse

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Specializes in certified med tech and Lpn.

I want to an Oncology Nurse when I graduate and I need to know if you have to have a ton of experience or do you just learn as you go? I'm really interested in the field. I've had a lot of family members die of various types of cancer and I'm interested in knowing how to take care of a patient at the end of the disease or even at the beginning of the disease with the treatments and such. Anyone have any ideas on how I can "push" my way into the field?

Thx!!!

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Lots of your bigger cancer facilities will offer new grad nurse internship programs, which can be a great way to land your first job in a specialty area.

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I work at a big teaching hospital on the oncology floor, and I'm a new grad. I did my final big preceptorship in school on the same floor I work on now.

It's the same as any other...you learn as you go! I love my floor, my patients, colleagues, the docs, you name it! Of course there's a learning curve of things that are specific to oncology...but there'd be a learning curve no matter which floor you're on! Yours just might be about chemo instead of pressors.

EricEnfermo had a good suggestion...see if there are any hospitals offering internships for new grads in oncology. Mine does, and it's been great! If you want more info or specifics, feel free to email me.

Good luck! Oncology is an awesome field.

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Specializes in ICU, oncology/organ transplant.

I started on my floor as a new grad without any internship or experience. My floor is actually complicated because we do oncology and organ transplant becuase they are both immunosuppressed. It was a heck of alot to learn and everyday I continue to learn new things. I have been there about three years and the funny thing is I wasn't even interested in either oncology or transplant...just landed there because a friend convinced me to (she worked there and left three months later haha)

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.

I got a CNA job at an oncology hospital while I'm still taking classes. I really like it. I've already been told by the staff that I'll have a job waiting for me once I have my RN. Good luck!

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Specializes in certified med tech and Lpn.

Thanks everyone for the great advice.

gymrat33

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative care.
I want to an Oncology Nurse when I graduate and I need to know if you have to have a ton of experience or do you just learn as you go? I'm really interested in the field. I've had a lot of family members die of various types of cancer and I'm interested in knowing how to take care of a patient at the end of the disease or even at the beginning of the disease with the treatments and such. Anyone have any ideas on how I can "push" my way into the field?

Thx!!!

hi

You might find this post of interest.

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative care.
I want to an Oncology Nurse when I graduate and I need to know if you have to have a ton of experience or do you just learn as you go? I'm really interested in the field. I've had a lot of family members die of various types of cancer and I'm interested in knowing how to take care of a patient at the end of the disease or even at the beginning of the disease with the treatments and such. Anyone have any ideas on how I can "push" my way into the field?

Thx!!!

ooops, forgot to put the link! here it is ;)

https://allnurses.com/forums/f37/so-what-like-being-oncology-nurse-65650.html

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I also want to work in ONCOLOGY!! It is such a great field.

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