springybaybee

Hey everyone! I am an oncology nurse making a transition into a new full time job in the Progressive Care Unit on the night shift. Any tips or suggestions on how to survive in PCU??

I have been a medical-surgical/oncology nurse for about 3 years now. My advice to you: develop a thick skin. These patients are going through a lot- especially young, newly diagnosed and rapidly spreading cases. So sometimes, they can not be in the best of moods or they can be altered because cancer has spread to their brain. Be patient but also manage your time well: you have typically 5-6 patients (at least where I am) and you have a good impression and pass multiple meds as well as multiple blood transfusion esp. for your leukemia patients. I always find sitting down with a patient for at least 3 minutes makes it seem like you had been talking to them for 30 min. Overall, this field can seem overwhelming at this because of the patient's multiple co-morbidities, but it is a very rewarding field esp. for those who get better or go in remission. Also in nursing, don't be too hard on yourself, take it easy and enjoy life outside of work or else you will burn out.

Well typically since you are working on an oncology floor, they will expect you to hang chemotherapy. I know for my hospital they paid us to get chemo certified and that is where I learned all about the chemotherapy meds, how to handle them, side effects, etc. The course came with a book that had info about the drugs and more about guidelines about administration. Learning takes time. Just make sure that everything you double check over time, you will see similar drugs, chemo over and over again and it will become easier. Best of luck to you :)

It took me 5 weeks but you can call the BON to see how long it will take

hopefully it comes soon for you too. x fingers crossed x for you :)

Oh I will actually start on Aug. 8. I was suppose to start earlier, but there were some issues that needed to be resolved. I will let u know though

So finally on August 3, this issued me my license. It took about 5 weeks for the name search to finished and sent to GA BON. I literally called the BON everyday to make sure everything was going well since they also misplaced my transcript too. I'm just glad this is all over and I can finally start working.

thank you all for your responses. I'm hoping this will be all resolved soon.

Hey everyone, I just needed to let this out. I am currently going through the endorsement process in Georgia. My application was processed June 3 and I am still waiting for 2 things: my transcript (which I sent 3 weeks ago) and a name check to be posted to my application ( this is the 3rd week). It is frustrating because there is a job waiting for me. I was suppose to start next week, but now my start date will have to be postpone. I called Cogent, GBI, GA BON trying to get a status update for my name search, but I was given the "I'm sorry you are going have to wait a little longer" line. At least the Cogent systems gave me a time frame of 3 weeks. I'm hoping what they say is true. I am worried because I hope that this name search thing won't take more than 3 months because I will surely lose my job. I'm just kind of in a questioning mode right now...thinking why didn't I look up better ways to make my fingers have more natural oil so I would not have to go through this darn name search and wondering why can't the GA BON use the darn electronic process to expedite everything...oh well. I'm done venting, thank you for reading.

Oh yes it is completely frustrating what you are feeling but just do not give up. If you give up what else are you gonna do. You have worked hard for your degree and you will get a job. I ended up moving out of state because I could not even a job in my home state of California. I kept telling myself over and over again that I will have a job and my time will come. I even wrote down on my planner my name-RN to inspire myself. Loans are a pain in the neck. Do you have government loans? Because usually you can get a 6 month deferment and then you can apply for an unemployment deferment if u are still unemployed 6 months after graduation. Private loans, well they can provide deferments, but not as much as the government loans, from my experience. Have you tried looking into New Mexico. It is probably a long shot, but they are vey fast at giving you a license. I think I got my temp. permit there in 1.5 weeks...although I ended up not getting a job there. Anyways, good luck and never give up!! :redbeathe

Hey everyone, I just need to let this out because I am completely frustrated. My fingerprints have been rejected by the Georgia board of Nursing two times, so I found out that they put a request for a name search to be done. Typically, Cogent and GA BON says it takes about 3 weeks to get the name check done (this week is my 3rd week) and the BON says it takes a week for them to post updated info on their website. I am just so mad because I was suppose to start my job next week; I just relocated here from California and now may be stuck in a rut for a few weeks without any job. Has anyone been through the name check process before, specifically in Georgia? Could you let me know how it turned out for you?

I do not know much about office nursing, but I do know that confidence and knowing about your strengths and how you handle difficult situations is helpful. Also, although your interview is tmw, if you can practice some, you cannot do them all, questions until you feel tired of practicing helps as well. Good luck:yeah : Useful websites for writing resumes, cover letters and conquering interviews "Interview to Knock Their Socks Off" by Donna Cardillo, RN @ http://www.dcardillo.com/articles/knock.html Johns Hopkins U. School of Nursing Career Resources @ http://www.son.jhmi.edu/resources/career/center/services.aspx (posted by Angela V.) Nursing Bluebook: Career Manual for Nurses" - by AfterCollege http://ow.ly/4G0vS "15 Toughest Interview Questions (and Answers)" @ http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-15_toughest_interview_questions_and_answers-1482?fpusrsrc=today&WT.mc_n=hjEOI_Ytoday (posted by Michael A.) "Complete List of Behavioral Interview Questions" @ http://blog.emurse.com/2007/05/21/complete-list-of-behavioral-interview-questions/ "Ten Killer Interview Tips" @ http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2003309010333 Interview Guide http://www.son.jhmi.edu/resources/career/center/documents/interview_guide.pdf http://www.best-job-interview.com/

thank you for your response! It is very helpful reading about what a typical day will be like. I will start in an Oncology-Surgical unit next week, have no prior experience and am quite nervous.

Yea I know what you mean. I had to get off facebook for a while so I would not see those kind of comments. It is hard not to be bitter. I myself, have gone through about 150 applications, 1 interview, 2 prescreening interviews before I got my job and it is out of state. Just ignore their "boasting" and focus on your goal: getting a job. Please don't give up. Use this forum as support. I know without this site, I would not have made it to find a job. Good Luck to you

Ya, if you have just graduated, you do not need to worry about the 500 hours clinical experience. According to a lday I spoke to from the Georgia Board of Nursing, she said to ust put N/A and new graduate on the Employment history page, so they know why you have not worked yet. I myself, am also applying for endorsement from California. Good Luck!