Nursing grads starting oncology

[sherry9286]

Hi everyone,

Good day! I am a new RN grads who gonna start with my first rotation in oncology ward shortly. Honestly I have placement in medical ward, rehab ward and psychiatric ward but haven't got any placement experience in oncology area, is there anything particular to be aware of? Maybe this question is a little too wide, but I am very nervous at this moment. Hopefully somebody can help me out!

thanks in advance.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

My first job was in oncology and I loved it! (After that first year, but once I passed that hurdle, I loved it.) You'll develop awesome IV skills, and you will probably find that cancer patients are much nicer than, say, cardiomyopathy patients. (In general, of course.) As for what to be particularly aware of -- your orientation to the unit should include that. My first inclination is to say pay attention to the blood counts -- WBC (infection), RBCs (oxygen carrying capacity) and platelets (bleeding). You'll probably get lots of experience in hanging blood!

[sherry9286]

Thanks so much for the reply:) sorry had issues to assess my account and just got back:)

I did learn a lot that haven't been talked in nursing uni-- cytotoxic precautions, NGT, chemo, radiotherapy, iv skills, telemetry, wound dressing......