Interested in Oncology nursing

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I'm starting a direct-entry DNP program (acute care track) this fall, with the ultimate goal of becoming an oncology NP specializing in palliative care. I've worked in healthcare/hospitals my entire career, but on the communications/project management side of things. For the last 4 years I've worked as a per diem patient care tech--1 year in med/surg and the other 3 years on an oncology/BMT unit. I will continue to work as a PCT while in school and have the option of picking up additional shifts on other units. What types of units should I consider getting some additional exposure to, that would ultimately be helpful when I first become an RN and eventually an NP (hopefully working in inpatient oncology to start...open to out-patient clinic as well)? Would you say more med/surg? MICU/SICU? ER? Cardiology? Neuro step down? TIA!

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Hello,

I am currently a NP in Heme-Onc. I believe most programs only cover the minimum in regards to oncology, like prevention, screening, basic patho of common cancers, etc. Your pharm course will probably not cover chemo or other therapies. Because of this, it would be very helpful to work as a RN on an oncology unit or infusion floor. I did an oncology rotation during my NP clinicals, but otherwise all my nursing experience was in telemetry. The learning curve has been steep but doable.

In terms of other units to work on, I don't know that cardiology or neuro would provide you with anything additional. That being said, there are plenty of cardiotoxic chemotherapies, and brain mets/ spinal cord compression are issues seen in oncology patients. Med- surg may be your best bet in terms of exposing you to a little bit of everything. Good luck!

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Thank you!

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The fact that direct entry acute care tracks exist is concerning and a huge disappointment. Regardless of your end goals, you absolutely should work as an RN in acute care before going into an acnp track. That school should be ashamed. And what school is it by chance do I can make a note of it for future reference?

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I would definitely work in a onc ICU or at least MICU floor. All of the heme/onc NPs I had myself as a patient we’re all FNPs not ACNPs. They rotated between the clinic and the hospital. But this was in California, could be a regional thing. Hope that helps ?

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On 4/12/2019 at 3:19 PM, meilia said:

I'm starting a direct-entry DNP program (acute care track) this fall, with the ultimate goal of becoming an oncology NP specializing in palliative care. I've worked in healthcare/hospitals my entire career, but on the communications/project management side of things. For the last 4 years I've worked as a per diem patient care tech--1 year in med/surg and the other 3 years on an oncology/BMT unit. I will continue to work as a PCT while in school and have the option of picking up additional shifts on other units. What types of units should I consider getting some additional exposure to, that would ultimately be helpful when I first become an RN and eventually an NP (hopefully working in inpatient oncology to start...open to out-patient clinic as well)? Would you say more med/surg? MICU/SICU? ER? Cardiology? Neuro step down? TIA!

Wait...what...you are in an DNP program and are asking what PCT per diem shifts you should take... THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I DON'T SEE NPs AS A PATIENT.

Flame away!! Lord have mercy.

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On 4/13/2019 at 10:42 AM, futureprovider said:

I would definitely work in a onc ICU or at least MICU floor. All of the heme/onc NPs I had myself as a patient we’re all FNPs not ACNPs. They rotated between the clinic and the hospital. But this was in California, could be a regional thing. Hope that helps ?

Thanks so much for the helpful feedback!

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14 hours ago, twinsmom788 said:

Wait...what...you are in an DNP program and are asking what PCT per diem shifts you should take... THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I DON'T SEE NPs AS A PATIENT.

Flame away!! Lord have mercy.

I'll be starting in the fall. Just getting a head start in gaining additional PCT experience, and will be looking to become an RN in oncology and work as an RN for the last 3 years of the program before I become an NP, and then I plan on doing an NP fellowship for additional training after that.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I sincerely wish you well. An acute care track is often easier with RN ICU experience. With the Consensus Model expanding to states, will the acute care track provide you the education you desire to work with oncology patients in the capacity you desire?

The reason I ask is that acute care NPs usually work in the hospital. Their education is not outpt focused and much of the care of the oncology patient occurs in the outpt environment.

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I didn't notice the acute care caveat with my initial reply. Yes, you should definitely work in an ICU as a RN if you plan to obtain an acute care NP degree. That being said, if your ultimate goal is oncology or palliative care, then I'm not sure ACNP is the most appropriate degree. As traumaRUs mentioned, the majority of ACNPs work in the hospital. I'm an AGNP and my heme-onc position is outpatient, and other heme-onc position openings in my west coast state advertise for FNP or AGNP. Again, good luck!

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13 hours ago, fizzlepop said:

I didn't notice the acute care caveat with my initial reply. Yes, you should definitely work in an ICU as a RN if you plan to obtain an acute care NP degree. That being said, if your ultimate goal is oncology or palliative care, then I'm not sure ACNP is the most appropriate degree. As traumaRUs mentioned, the majority of ACNPs work in the hospital. I'm an AGNP and my heme-onc position is outpatient, and other heme-onc position openings in my west coast state advertise for FNP or AGNP. Again, good luck!

Good to know, thanks for sharing! I'm in Massachusetts, and in my full-time job/first career work in palliative care. In interviewing/shadowing our palliative care NPs and oncology NPs, I've heard both sides. Many of the pall care NPs are acute care-trained. I asked many programs and oncology NPs about which track-FNP/primary care vs acute care and it was split 50/50. Though the inpatient oncology/BMT floor nurse manager suggested I go the acute care route given how complicated the patients are on our unit and she thought acute care would serve me best in an inpatient oncology setting, especially on BMT. I love hearing other people's experiences and perspectives, so I appreciate everyone's input! Thank you!

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15 hours ago, traumaRUs said:

I sincerely wish you well. An acute care track is often easier with RN ICU experience. With the Consensus Model expanding to states, will the acute care track provide you the education you desire to work with oncology patients in the capacity you desire?

The reason I ask is that acute care NPs usually work in the hospital. Their education is not outpt focused and much of the care of the oncology patient occurs in the outpt environment.

A main reason the direct-entry DNP program I chose to attend was because they have specialty tracks in both oncology and palliative care, which weren't offered at other direct-entry MSN programs. So you take additional courses in whichever area you choose, and you have to do 90 hours of clinical in that specialty. This is on top of the acute care NP track work/clinicals you have to do. My main goal is to work in a hospital setting after graduation, though I'm open to the outpatient environment.

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