Pediatric oncology

[quetepye]

I'm working on my BSN-RN and have loved every encounter I've had with pediatric oncology. Next summer I'll be doing an adult oncology externship, but my real love is for pediatrics. Any tips/suggestions for getting into the field as a new grad?

Thanks!

Amanda

[BullyLoveRN]

I started off on a General Peds floor, but my hospital was also the only hospital in the area that did Peds Heme/Onc so, after four months... I was chemo certified and IN LOVE with this patient population. However, it started to effect me... so I fill obligated to warn you, be prepared for heartbreak! It is very tough!!! It is hard on the hospital floor because we see the sickest kids... and grow very attached to them and their families. Try very hard to remember the "good stories" of kids that beat the odds and survived... I am not saying it's impossible, but after a particularly hard couple of months, and with a couple of tough losses, I made a very hard (innocent) mistake that has ended with me no longer working for that hospital.

You will LOVE it, but it will wear on you before you even realize what is happening, so be aware. Do research on "Compassion Fatigue" and ways to prevent it and burnout! Good luck to you, I am sure you will be a fabulous and successful nurse!:loveya:

[MJB2010]

I am also interested in peds oncology! ANy advice on where to apply as a new grad? :)

[Teri314]

I too am planning on specializing in Peds Onco. My older brother has cancer and has had it for over 10 years. I understand it takes a very special person to work in a cancer wing and even more so in peds. What is the most important thing to know and remember when working in this field? How long does it take to get into peds onc?

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

The most important thing to know and remember (other than clinical stuff) is that the patient's parents are extremely important members of the team and are one of your most valuable resources. They are going to know their child's treatment protocol inside out and backwards, they know how their child deals with chemo and radiation, how they prefer to take their meds, what distracts them best during painful procedures and when the last time the child's port was accessed.

It would be useful for you to do a year or so of peds med-surg before going to hem-onc, but it isn't essential. You could find yourself hired as a new grad. But in my experience there isn't a lof of turnover on peds oncology units so you may have to do something else while you wait for an opening.

[Redhead28]

Many children's hospitals have intern programs for new grad's. The hospital I work at frequently takes new grads into the heme-onc program.