Not Enjoying Oncology

[dass4]

I came from a Med/Surge unit (3 yrs) night-shift and loved it most of the time, yet looking for something different to broaden my knowledge. Now at new facility in Oncology Outpatient Med-ONC center. I am having a REALLY hard time loving my new position. I hate to say it, but I don't feel like a nurse at all. I don't even have to carry a stethoscope! We rotate weekly from treatment area, phlebotomy, and nurse desk to field a plethora of telephone and paperwork issues from patients, insurance, pharmacy, etc... I have been there approx 8 weeks now and it is improving in the treatment area at times but otherwise I dread the secondary spots. I know all things take time but I wonder if this is truly my calling! Patient interaction isn't that interesting so far and I question is it because I don't really have a connection with them yet? I am a pretty outgoing person and teamwork is a very important standard for me, yet I feel very out of place. You can imagine the difference between day shift and night shift humor as well that has me totally out of sorts with forming a connection with any of my teammates. I am just wondering if any others felt these types of issues when switching to an oncology outpatient unit? Or am I just crazy!!!

[OCNRN63, RN]

I had some transition pains when I changed jobs. I went from knowing what to do almost before it happened to feeling like a new grad. I feel like the patients didn't trust me, and to a degree they didn't because I was new (to them).

It took me a while to connect with my co-workers, too. Actually, that came much later. But I'll tell you, when I got sick with my own cancer diagnosis, they were they for me, and even though it's been 4 years since I worked there, they have continued to be supportive.

As far as patients, it did get much, much better over time. I remember a few patients reached out to me to make me feel more comfortable, and after a while, it was unusual for me to have a patient I couldn't connect with.

It's a completely different world, so two months is really not long enough. See how you feel after six months, then after a year.

Of all the jobs I've had, working in outpatient oncology was probably my favorite, but it took some time to get there.

[db2xs]

My only question is: What is the reason why you left inpatient?