Placed on oncology for first term in hospital! Advice please!

[Nicolecn]

Hello, I just started my second term of my ADN program and am super nervous and looking for some advice. For our first term we had clinicals in the community and they weren’t very intense. This term I will be in the hospital for the first time and I got placed on oncology. I start in a few days. I’m super stoked and have actually considered oncology nursing I just wasn’t expecting getting placed there my first term in the hospital and feel like it’s kind of a difficult place to start. I am sooo nervous going into this and I don’t want to make a complete fool of myself. I think I feel even more nervous because I feel like patients with cancer have been through enough and the last thing they want is some inexperienced student “practicing” on them. Any tips on how to calm nerves or advice from someone who has oncology experience?

[maiga ayub]

i have ever be to oncology institute for my 2month clinical placement, but all i did, was not to be sympathetic but empathetic, and i responded and attended to who ever patient or attendant who called for me, this comforted the patients and attendants. thanks.

[elephantlover, BSN, RN]

Hi there! I think your first clinical in the acute care setting is a big step regardless of the unit you are on. Some nerves are to be expected.

General advice to calm your nerves before clinical: do thorough prep work. Wake up early the morning of and give yourself plenty of time in the morning to get ready and make it safely to clinical. The time it takes to find a parking spot, walk into the hospital, and get settled on the unit might be over ten minutes. Go in early to check your patient's orders and get settled. Observe how employees interact with the patients. You will likely shadow for a day before jumping in. You likely won't be administering chemo. You need a special certification to do this as an RN.

Just listen to patients. Introduce yourself to form a bond. Let the patient know it was nice to meet them. Thank them for allowing you to work with them. Follow their lead. Don't minimize their experience or tell them not to worry. Try to validate the emotion the patient is experiencing. I float to the oncology medical unit at the hospital where I work as a tech. The patients are not as intimidating as I thought they were going to be. Cancer-related pain can be difficult to manage. Be prepared to use pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Ask the patient what works for them. Don't be afraid to ask difficult questions during your assessment like how have your moods been? You will likely see all sorts of patients on this unit.

Hopefully an oncology nurse chimes in. I would be interested to hear from a real professional.

Good luck to you! I am excited for you. It is OK to feel nervous. I often felt incompetent during my first acute care clinical. I am not suggesting you too will feel this way, but know my confidence and skills have come along way. No one expects you to know everything or to have the perfect communication skills. Be respectful, keep safety in mind, and work hard.

[Spadeforce]

Honestly they won't put you in a position where you can mess stuff up just relax and learn what you can