New Grad Oncology question

[bsting]

Hi

I think i may be getting a job in a private oncology/hematology practice. When they were showing me around i saw a mixing station with vaccum for chemo, now is there any website etc i can go to and read about the precautions to take when mixing/administering chemo? I want to read everything myself before i go there & they train me. After all its my license & somebody's life on the line when im giving chemo. I am a little scared about exposure to chemo when mixing/giving chemo.i understand the issue of pregnancy with chemotherapy drugs. i understand im not the first nurse to do it. But its always very helpful to hear from experienced nurses.:heartbeat

Thanks.

[karenk82]

I'm surprised that they would let a new grad mix chemo. I interviewed for a onc clinic job as a fairly new grad and they said no way, the more experienced nurses did it. I was actually relieved as that would make me quite nervous as well. If you look up the MSDS sheets on individual chemo drugs there is a section on safe handling. http://hazard.com/msds/ is one site. Pretty much you wear PPE, gloves, goggles, gown, mask and I'd imagine it needs to be done in a hood, or as you said with a vacuum set up. You don't want to take any chances. Hope this helps!

[bsting]

Thanks very much. i dont know yet if i will be mixing chemo( i hope i won't though, lol).But i wanted information so just in case im told to do that.Im sure they will train me if im told to mix chemo but i personally think that a nurse must know things herself & have knowledge about things. There are other experienced nurses there, so may be they would do it & eventually train new grads.thanks again:heartbeat