New Grad Nurse in Hem/Onc, Stem Cell Transplant

CarryThatWeight, BSN · Jun 17, 2012

Congrats! Stem cell transplant is a great place to work. I started as a new grad and am now returning to BMT after a brief absence. I really enjoy having the patients on the floor longer, as it gives us a chance to know them a little. BMT has its own set of common chemo regimens and terminology (mostly day + or - for transplant countdown), but you will get used to that quickly. Do you know what the ratios on your floor are?

eah9r3 · Jun 17, 2012

Congrats!! What hospital? I have a friend that I graduated with last year who is on the hem/onc floor at NMH and loves it. I have just started my search in Chicago (I'm currently an RN in St. Louis but want to relocate). Any tips for job hunting there? I know the job market is not the best right now...

sj73201, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

seriously?! that's where i just got hired!! is she on nights? that's what ill be working.

i'm a new grad myself so i just apply to onc because i love it and work as a cna in onc now.

to answer your question tammy1019, i believe the ratio is 4-5 on nights. 7p-7a

sophie<3 · Jun 17, 2012

I just got hired on hem/onc and a bmt unit about 2 months ago as a new grad! I will be finishing up orientation in a few weeks! So far I really love my job :) on the hem/onc side our ratio is 1:4 and bmt is 1:3.

eah9r3 · Jun 18, 2012

I think she is on days but I'm not certain. She absolutely loves it though. She did an externship on that floor two summers ago. I also have a friend in the NICU at NMH and says it's wonderful too. Seems like a great place to work! How did you go about your job hunt in Chicago? Did you just apply to all of the major hospitals and did you specifically want hem/onc? I want to move to Chicago so bad!!

butterfly journey · Jul 11, 2012

Well I'm not in the Chicago area (Texas) but I did get hired onto an oncology floor as a new grad and I start Monday. I have actually precepted on this floor my last semester, so I kind of know what's going on and I really like my new co-workers and I love my long-term patients. Can't wait to really get started.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2012

I started in a high acuity BMTU as a new grad 4 years ago. It was rough to start, but I quickly learned to love it. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

bluechick112 · Jul 12, 2012

I was hired in March in to a new grad program in California in heme/onc. So far, I love it! It has the tendency to be very emotional, which can be just as hard as the physical work. A very rewarding field to be in, though. Glad it's where I'm starting out :)

sj73201, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2012

eah9r3

did your friend share anything about her orientation to you? i have been calling the manager with no return call. i don't start orientation until aug. 20, so maybe i'm too early? do you know if she felt prepared following her unit orientation? i heard orientation on the unit is shortened to save $$. a couple people i graduated with have gotten a job there on l&d and postpartum and said their orientation would be like this.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Aug 20, 2012

Hope your first day of orientation went well.

sj73201, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2012

haha how'd you know i had orientation today? It was great!