Oncology nursing experiences

sistrmoon, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2013

I've been in Oncology for 6 years. Do you have any specific questions? I find it to be an amazing patient population. The majority of my patients are leukemics. I find it to be challenging dealing with the special needs of cancer patients, thinking about labs, dealing with chemo and adjunct medications, giving transfusions, etc. It can be emotionally trying seeing young people die but it is rewarding supporting them and their families while providing comfort and dignity.

s0ad · Dec 17, 2013

I work in oncology, but with med-surg patients too. It has its ups and downs - the patients can be very complex. Complex chemo, patients who have had reactions to chemo, colostomies, urostomies, PEG feedings, trachs for those with with masses potentially occluding the airway, A LOT of pain management, pain drips, transfusions... You have a lot of very, very sick patients and many times they're pretty young. I've had many patients take a turn for the worst within a shift's time, so you really need to pay attention.

I find it very trying at times, the patients can be very needy (with good reason) and you often will see them at their worst. There are a lot of ethical issues, patients with mets every where, still getting chemo that probably won't help and you wonder if its killing them quicker than the cancer would itself. Seeing younger people die (youngest for me was in their 20's, not much older than I am) is absolutely awful. However when you see patients get better for a while, or they're so appreciative of your help its very rewarding. I've also learned a ton, and am constantly learning more. These patients have such a huge variety of things going on.

CarryThatWeight, BSN · Dec 17, 2013

Oncology is both very rewarding and very challenging emotionally. We see the same patients over and over, often for long periods of time, so we develop relationships with them and their family members. This makes it a lot more difficult when they pass away, which often happens. We witness a great deal of suffering, but at the same time it is a privilege to be present at such a time in a person's life. I will never forget the faces of patients I've cared for that have passed away. Many have inspired my greatly. Oncology patients are very special!