RNOCN2311

Okay, need some help and direction here. I have a staff nurse who, to say the least, is poor (not dangerous). Her communication skills are minimal - harmful. Mind you, she's not harmful to the patients because I oversee everything she does, but it...

I shutter even typing the word. For those in outpatient oncology, how is your department adjusting to the ever changing guidelines? Our clinic basically treats everyone as Medicare....... and you know the hoops. Of course, when they find something...

Same, but Chemo induced can only be given for 8 weeks after the last chemo cycle and Hgb can't go past 10. CRF is 12, with labs monthly and every 2 weeks with a change..... etc. Our hospital had a "pay back" due to changes in payment guidelines so ...

Well hello there again, The nurse who was giving me problems must have heard something in her evaluation because she actually (just once though) gave me an update on a patient. I was almost shocked. I thanked her afraid that if I didn't she wouldn'...

For anyone wishing to get into oncology outpatient the best skill you can bring is adaptation. You are a case worker, dietitian, pastor, IV specialist, educator, triage nurse, able to apply your clinical knowledge for insurance approvals..... jack ...

Hi Joe, I have never spent much time on a med surg unit, outside of 20 years ago. Prior to oncology I spent my days and nights in an ER. But, for me, oncology is a very holistic nursing. I do outpatient so I have a doctor on the unit at all times ...

Oh and for some reason, the cell phone has disappeared!!! Maybe she just forgot it today, but she made not one call..... !!!

Hi Katnip ( a very cute name), I'll give them a team building rope alright.... lol. I will keep trying to let them be on their own. It's hard when the physicians look to me when there are errors, missed orders, etc. My boss has actually started t...

I was promoted to Charge/Clinical Resource Nurse of a small outpatient oncology clinic 6 months ago. I'm working with my peers in a different role. They, to say the least, are good people with bad attitudes. Some like to tattle on eachother, feeli...

Hi, I've worked with many a p-a nurse in my 20+ years. Truly the only way to get a tiny bit of respect from them its to give it back to them. I know it's hard, but if you kind of call a bully on the carpet, they are usually shocked. What you have ...

I'm the charge nurse of a outpatient oncology clinic and let me tell you, it's a thankless job! I worked side by side with the staff for 8 years (I've got 10 in the department working with newer staff members), and dispite my work ethic, building "t...

I also went to oncology nursing after taking care of my father. Seeing things from his perspective gave me a different look at nursing. I'd been an ER nurse for 11 years. As frustrating as it can be when your flying around the department trying to ...

I also work outpatient and we have 8 rooms and 4 nurses, we currently don't have "assignments" so, if everyone is on their game we get the 2:1 but yes we also could have a lot of other events going at once.

In our oupatient treatment area it's 8 room with 3 nurses, one assigned calls, consults, scheduling, etc. which gives us four total and staggered day shifts. We have primary assignments but on average it's 2-3:1 depending on what's being given. Our...

I've worked in the OR, and though it does have it's knowledge base of importance (tasks, infection, positioning, etc), it can not prepare you for oncology. Labs are labs, most importantly is the standard WBC, H/H, Platelets, and diff, to start with ...

I interviewed yesterday for a CM job at the hospital I work. I am next in line with seniority for the position and posses some of the skills needed, though it would be starting from the beginning. I already work m-f, day shift, and the increase in p...

You both still like your CM jobs? I interviewed yesterday. I'm not sure. I like the idea of getting away from the bedside, the problem solving, the independent decision making, but am not sure how overwhelming it would be. I currently work as an ...

Ummm, well from my experience in Rituxan, if it were me I'd want 2:1 or 1:1 if it was the first time infusion. I do not know of any specific quidelines or literature though.

The Oncology Nursing Society or the drug insert pamphlet.

Okay, here's a few... Camptosar~diarrhea Oxaliplatin~peripheral neuropathy (^with cold) Cisplatin~ototoxicity, renal failure 5FU~diarrhea, mouth sores Rituxan~eek, tumor lysis syndrome taxol~loss of nails Adriamycin~cardiotoxic Erbitux~acneform rash ...

Wow, that's horrible. I'd not have any problems getting him kicked out! If he thinks he is going to be a nurse he better learn compassion and tolerance. You don't get to pick your paitents race, gender, sexual prefrence and you don't have the righ...

Hi, I've done prostate brachytherapy and after care instruction are just to not hold grandchildren, children on your lap but they can sit beside you. I'm going on a limb here and saying it's probably the same type of thing, your probably safe, but I...

This one caught my attention. I am one of those "direct" communicators I've been told. I say what I have to say, most often in a calm and clear manner and I've been called "difficult". The sqeaky wheel always gets the WD40. We have a nurse who lov...

Try making the patient stand on their head? I almost feel like that's what I'm doing at times. Seriously, I have patients lay on one side then the other, arm up, arm back, supine, upright. You name it I've probably done it. If the port is burried...

Yes, it's common that they are afraid of morphine. To most patients and their families morphie is what drug addicts use. They fear it, and fear most pain meds at the start. I just tell them that it's better to control pain with meds than to suffer...