Oncology Chemotherapy , Pediatric Chemotherapy

[Suresh Morgan]

Hi Friends,

I am new to this. Please let me know if Oncology Chemotherapy and Pediatric Chemotherapy are two entirely different nursing departments. Thanks for your help with this!

[SolaireSolstice, BSN, RN]

It is in my facility. Pediatric oncology is done in the pediatric unit. The doctors are completely different as well. When I first started out, we used to have our chemo certified nurses float down to that area, but not anymore.

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

Oncology is a specialty of medicine that treats cancer. Chemotherapy is a medication given to treat cancer. Pediatric oncology is a pediatric unit for kids with cancer. They are treated with chemotherapy just like adults are. Usually chemotherapy is only given on designated oncology units by chemotherapy certified nurses.

[Suresh Morgan]

Oh! Well!! Thanks April, RN!!! Beautiful answer.. Just what I asked for. Thanks a lot.. Kudos a ton !!!

[Suresh Morgan]

Oh! Well!! Thanks April, RN!!! Beautiful answer.. Just what I asked for. Thanks a lot.. Kudos a ton !!!

[DaddyO]

Not sure if I am understanding.....but my daughter gets Infusion Therapy with Chemo. she's not a cancer patient, but has an Immune disorder and as you know, the chemo surpresses the Immune. This is done in the hospital and requires a 3 day stay to hydrate the kidneys.

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

Not sure if I am understanding.....but my daughter gets Infusion Therapy with Chemo. she's not a cancer patient, but has an Immune disorder and as you know, the chemo surpresses the Immune. This is done in the hospital and requires a 3 day stay to hydrate the kidneys.

You're right, sometimes chemo is used for non-oncologic purposes. Your daughter is not an oncology patient because she does not have cancer. My previous post was a general answer, but facilities will vary in terms of who is allowed to administer chemo and where.