New Bone Marrow RN ;-)

JaclynBN05 · Jun 6, 2005

[WOw what a great opportunity! I worked on an Oncology floor and we get post BMT patients. That is when they tend to be the sickest!! They throw up like crazy and then the Leuks drop and they feel like crap!! But they are the most grateful patients!!

Hope you enjoy every minute!!

Jealous!!

Jenneu · Jun 7, 2005

I started as a new grad in the BMTU about 6 months ago. I guess what surprised me the most is how painful mucousitis following transplant can be. And you'll be giving a lot of blood products too.

Good luck!

sunnyrn7 · Jun 7, 2005

Thanks Jenneu for your encouragement and sharing your experience. Sounds like a thorough understanding of hematology & pain mgmt. are critical while working in the BMTU. I've been looking online for info. regarding bone marrow transplants. Is there anything you now know that you wish you studied or spent more time on before starting work? (i.e. pharmacology)

Thanks again for your help! :coollook:

I started as a new grad in the BMTU about 6 months ago. I guess what surprised me the most is how painful mucousitis following transplant can be. And you'll be giving a lot of blood products too.
Good luck!

Jenneu · Jun 8, 2005

I've been thinking about this for a few hours and I guess just reading up on the pathophysiology of leukemias and lymphomas are key. Also, a lot comes with practice - I learned way more in my first week than I did in the entire half semester or so of cancer lectures! We have a good computer system and a lot of reference books, not to mention a lot of experienced people, so I've been able to pick up a lot of information. I also make sure I know for sure about possible side effects of medications that I am giving, because a patient is bound to ask "What is this for" and I definately want to have that info off the top of my head!

Does your unit transfer ventilator dependent patients to an ICU? We are also an ICU, so we keep our patients throughout their disease process. We get induction chemo and end stage patients who have been in and out of our unit for years. Its an unusual mix of long term and critical care.

Good luck and let me know how it goes for you!

Jen

julieK · Jun 8, 2005

Is there anything you now know that you wish you studied or spent more time on before starting work? (i.e. pharmacology)

I work on an onc unit where we do chemo, bmt's, as well as other treatments and onc-related complications. In terms of bmt's, I would spend time on antibiotics (dosages, compatibilities, interactions), blood product transfusion principles, skin care, mucositis, growth-stimulating factors, graft-vs.-host disease, and general knowledge related to the immune system.

Good luck!

-Julie in NYC

sunnyrn7 · Jun 11, 2005

I've been thinking about this for a few hours and I guess just reading up on the pathophysiology of leukemias and lymphomas are key. Also, a lot comes with practice - I learned way more in my first week than I did in the entire half semester or so of cancer lectures! We have a good computer system and a lot of reference books, not to mention a lot of experienced people, so I've been able to pick up a lot of information. I also make sure I know for sure about possible side effects of medications that I am giving, because a patient is bound to ask "What is this for" and I definately want to have that info off the top of my head!
Does your unit transfer ventilator dependent patients to an ICU? We are also an ICU, so we keep our patients throughout their disease process. We get induction chemo and end stage patients who have been in and out of our unit for years. Its an unusual mix of long term and critical care.
Good luck and let me know how it goes for you!

SookeyRN · Jun 20, 2005

I work on a 14-bed inpatient BMT unit. I started there a year ago right after graduating. If we have patients who need a vent (doesn't happen very often), they're transferred to the MICU, then transferred back when the vent is no longer needed. The most intimidating thing for me has been trying to organize the IV meds and administering blood products at the same time. I used to really stress about getting all my meds hung exactly on time and trying to work in giving platelets and PRBCs, and was running myself ragged trying to do it with 3 patients each day. I've been there a year now, and it has gotten easier. I'm still learning, of course, but once I figured out that those once-daily drugs or once-weekly drugs don't HAVE to be given exactly on time, and that CVN can be stopped long enough to run an 8-pack of platelets, my life got a LOT easier!

The suggestions so far I would agree with - learn the difference between antivirals, antifungals, and antibiotics, and make sure your physical assessment skills (especially listening to lung sounds) are fine-tuned. :)

Paula

I'll be working on bone marrow unit in 2 weeks...eek! I just graduated with a BSN & am very excited yet nervous! What should I expect my 1st year as a BMT nurse? Is there anything I can do now before I start on the floor?
Any & all help is much appreciated!
sunny

jesting15 · Jun 23, 2005

:rotfl:

I'll be working on bone marrow unit in 2 weeks...eek! I just graduated with a BSN & am very excited yet nervous! What should I expect my 1st year as a BMT nurse? Is there anything I can do now before I start on the floor?
Any & all help is much appreciated!
sunny

Welcome to the incredible world of BMT nursing- have been a transplant nurse with kids for 15 years, adults 3 years. Wouldn't think of doing anything else! It's tough, rewarding, sad and challenging. (Before I read "Burn Unit", a book written by a Boston reporter, I thought BMT nursing was the most difficult and technically hard nursing.)

You will learn a lot your first year, and I thought it took me nearly a year to beging to know what I was doing. I hope you get an excellent preceptor, who is a good role model for you. I began onc nursing at The Natl Institutes of Health in Bethesda,MD. My preceptor nearly 20 years ago is still a role model to me!

Your patients are giving it "their last shot" at beating their disease. For some, it is the end of the road, and this is the only hope for survival. Some will go to transplant with disease- not a good prognosis. I have learned never to predict how someone will do- a young pilot died after transplant, an elderly 70 year old did well after his "mini" transplant- and everything in between.

As a primary nurse, you will get to know your patients, families, kids, spouses, their friends, their jobs. I work on an adult BMT unit in Boston and our patients come from Canada, Maine, Conn, Vermont, etc. They usually are with us minimum 4 weeks and often longer. You quickly become a "life line" to all they need, from just the local grocer to getting soc work in right now!

I am excited for you (I moved to Boston from SF nearly 3 years ago and miss it terribly.) Hope I have eased your mind a bit, don't hesitate to write again!

Jessie :balloons: