New Grad Oncology

melizerd, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2014

I'm a new grad and found a med/surg-oncology position to see if I wanted to go more in depth with oncology. So they are out there. :)

MVARJU · Jun 23, 2014

Are you in oregon?

rubato, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2014

New grad hired to oncology before graduation. I got the job because I worked as an aide for 6 months first.

DatMurse · Jun 25, 2014

I'm a new grad and found a med/surg-oncology position to see if I wanted to go more in depth with oncology. So they are out there. :)

lol. I am in Medical(not surgical)/Oncology. an odd combo

springybaybee · Jul 9, 2014

I have been a medical-surgical/oncology nurse for about 3 years now. My advice to you: develop a thick skin. These patients are going through a lot- especially young, newly diagnosed and rapidly spreading cases. So sometimes, they can not be in the best of moods or they can be altered because cancer has spread to their brain. Be patient but also manage your time well: you have typically 5-6 patients (at least where I am) and you have a good impression and pass multiple meds as well as multiple blood transfusion esp. for your leukemia patients. I always find sitting down with a patient for at least 3 minutes makes it seem like you had been talking to them for 30 min. Overall, this field can seem overwhelming at this because of the patient's multiple co-morbidities, but it is a very rewarding field esp. for those who get better or go in remission.

Also in nursing, don't be too hard on yourself, take it easy and enjoy life outside of work or else you will burn out.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 17, 2014

Here us another resource

Cancer Center: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and Treatments, Including Chemo and Radiation

LemonIndiscretion · Dec 20, 2014

I got a job at a home health agency as a new grad, was asked to be part of the chemo team after 4 months, got the ONS cetification in April (agency paid for it), started doing chemo disconnects and hydrating clients with cancer in their homes, and just got a per diem position at a cancer center! It took 8 months but I'm hoping it turns into full time, Good lucK

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2014

Our oncology unit accepted new grads into a Residency program, where you spend five weeks with a preceptor and a few hours of class work. Lots of attention and support from the nursing educator were available, and the nurses who precepted on my floor enjoyed it.

As a new grad your best start is to find a Residency "on the job training" position. Most larger hospitals have them, in med surg, ortho, telemetry, and neuro. Our unit was medical oncology, so the new grads didn't hang chemo until they passed the chemo certification course. They still got to take care of oncology patients, though, just couldn't administer chemo. The very fragile pts stayed with the 'core staff' (ie, old battle axes) and newish chemo nurses got plenty of support from other nurses until the staff and new nurse felt confident.