oncnursemsn

oncnursemsn has 30 years experience and specializes in Education and oncology.

oncnursemsn's Latest Activity

1. 

   OCN exam - help!

   oncnursemsn replied to Onc/bmtRN's topic in Oncology

   Hi! Good for you that you want to get certified after 2 years of oncology experience! You didn't say where you live, but in Boston (where I am) a lot of the larger hospitals have a "certification review" all day class. It's free for the organization's nurses and usually around 100.00 for non-employees It's a comprehensive overview of what you should know for the OCN exam. Are other nurses at your facility certified? What strategies did they use? Networking might be helpful too. Good luck!! Jessie (RN, MSN, AOCNS)
2. 

   Politics in Nursing... HELP!

   oncnursemsn replied to sparkybear808's topic in General Nursing

   I'm so sorry you have experienced short staffing- as you know, not unusual. But you have done it! You have completed a year and now can move on to the acute care setting you desire. You didn't say if you have ASN or BSN or what city/town you live in. It can be challenging so I advise you to perfect your resume and get good references in order. Is there an area you would like to get certification? Obtain certification in your area of interest and put on your best professional face. I promise it does get better when you find your niche!
3. 

   Choice, Pathology, and the Disease Model of Addiction

   oncnursemsn replied to Issaiah1332's topic in Addictions

   Congratulations MayRN2987. This is a tough journey for sure. Most if not many of our colleagues do not understand the struggle. Please know you are so strong and I understand as well. Keep going to meetings, hang with those who know and are "friends of Bill" and take it one day at a time. And realize you can't do this alone and know you have people who have your back. I'm editing this because I honor you as a parent of young children. Wow. I'm humbled as I don't have children.
4. 

   Choice, Pathology, and the Disease Model of Addiction

   oncnursemsn replied to Issaiah1332's topic in Addictions

   Phenomenal posting. Well written and researched. Should be required reading for all who go into nursing or are nurses. It's reality folk- you will encounter addiction in patients, family members and even medical professionals. As nurses we have to give up the judgement, misconceptions and provide the best care that we can. Put your biases aside and look at the biology. I've been an oncology nurse and educator my entire career and am half way through a DNP program in nursing education and appreciate this post. It's taken a long time but I realize addiction is as much a disease as cancer, heart disease or diabetes. It's just as nurses we tend to care for the medical before the psychiatric. Right? Right.
5. 

   Suspended for a Medication Error

   oncnursemsn replied to Nurse Beth's topic in General Nursing

   Thank you for clarifying- please go back and re-read the original post. This happened many years ago and she has gone on to earn her master's degree. I don't think those who wrote her up were bipolar or lying. I admit I'm distracted by difficulty getting through your spelling and punctuation but I don't want to distract from the original post.
6. 

   Ethical issue? Treating a 101 year old patient

   oncnursemsn replied to oncnursemsn's topic in Oncology

   Would love to. As Charge Nurse I can't just stop. Have to plow on and treat. I'm not sure the patient truly understands but her family doesn't want to give up. Really?
7. 

   Ethical issue? Treating a 101 year old patient

   oncnursemsn posted a topic in Oncology

   I've been an oncology nurse a long time- over 34 years. For the first time I'm posting on Allnurses because of my moral distress and lack of consensus. I have booked a woman who is 101 years old for Keytruda next week for aggressive head and neck cancer. Her oncologist thinks it's appropriate that she wants treatment and is over the moon that he gets the credit for this new treatment. I believe it's wrong on so many levels that I don't know where to begin. First- is she able to give consent? Yes. Is she frail and with a very poor prognosis? Yes. Would she benefit from palliative care and hospice care? Absolutely. Do we care about cost and providing appropriate end of life care? Er, not so much. SO when your co-pays and deductives and cost of routine health care go up- I do not want to hear about it. This is an incredibly costly treatment for one who will likely experience very little benefit. I'm simply sickened and had long discussion with medical/nursing friends over Thanksgiving dinner and got very different viewpoints. Do I value life? Of course! The surgeon weighed in with his "do whatever it takes." This patient is approaching 102 years old and I'm sad and distressed. Thoughts?
8. 

   America, party of 2

   oncnursemsn replied to Cwoods's topic in NP

   You might be surprised but healthcare is more costly than ever before. You, my friend get to pay for everyone who has cancer, premature babies or end of life care. Do you know that ICU care is expensive? That cancer drugs have increased over 100% in the past 5 years? Of course you do! You voted for Trunp who is the expert in the Affordable Care Act. And that 22 million Americans who now have insurance might not. Because Obama never did anything to help us out. You and the president elect are our experts and I"m so relieved. You got this and it's solved.
9. 

   Anxiety following patient death

   oncnursemsn replied to Hockeynursing's topic in General Nursing

   Dear Hockeynurse, First, you did nothing wrong. Your patient was actively dying and you did the best thing to make him comfortable. There is always the "last dose" which is not what causes your patient to die- they were dying all along. You did the best you could to make sure he was not suffering. Please don't doubt or second guess yourself. You have many nurses, friends and family members who thank you for decreasing and ceasing his suffering.
10. 

    Is the BSN for Everybody? Things to Consider when Considering School

    oncnursemsn replied to nurseyblues's topic in General Students

    I'm about 1/2 through my DNP. I think there is no down side to more education and wish nursing as a profession started with the BSN at entry level. That being said, I taught at the associate level 16 semesters. There is merit to getting associate's degree but we lose respect from other professions because we're not always viewed as equals with ASN as acceptable. I know there will be flak but I don't believe nursing will be recognized as an equal profession in the medical community until BSN is mandatory. Have you even seen what physical and occupational therapists are required to do?? Doctorates. It's crazy.
11. 

    Which Master's Degree?

    oncnursemsn replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Nurse Beth

    I'm just echoing everyone else's advise. And I'm a bit jealous you have tuition reimbursement so I say just go for it! If you love nursing and think you might want to teach, go for education. I"m not a manager or administrator so teaching is my passion. I got my master's over 20 years ago and have never, ever regretted it. I have to think you won't either. I'm in a doctoral program and it's challenging but my passion and love. I have to believe you'll find your way. Just my 2 cents.
12. 

    Spiritual Care and Nursing: How Does This Work?

    oncnursemsn replied to jeastridge's topic in General Nursing

    I would be humbled and honored if a patient ever asked me to pray with them. I have certainly prayed for my patients and families- but it was only when they were leaving and asked as they were on the way out the door. We hug and off they go. Thank you for your post- and I still pray for my patients!
13. 

    Disturbing Conversation on Overweight Healthcare Workers

    oncnursemsn replied to FutureDNP2021's topic in General Nursing

    Hi VivaLasVegas- and thank you! For trying to keep us on topic. You are my hero. Let's face it, most of us struggle with something but we are here to care for our patients, provide best care as nurses and keep our own lives on course. We are not perfect and have this venue to reach out to each other. Thanks.
14. 

    Racist surgeon?

    oncnursemsn replied to tech22's topic in Relations

    Wow- this is not a question, it's a concern. And yes, this degree of racism still exists in this country. Something I didn't realize unit I moved to FL for a short time. Absolutely not acceptable and not tolerable but if the culture of the organization supports the surgeon it's tough to confront and defy. Thoughts?
15. 

    Disturbing Conversation on Overweight Healthcare Workers

    oncnursemsn replied to FutureDNP2021's topic in General Nursing

    Boy this is tough. I work in a unit where most nurses are wicked thin. Including me. We run all day and rarely stop but also glorify work outs- Zumba, gym and other fitness arenas. I'm thinking my ambulatory care unit is exception to rule but I struggle. I apologize to the men, but as I've gotten older I find it tough to maintain my weight. For every woman and nurse who is growing older, I totally understand. It's not your hormones or genes- dammit we just gain weight.
16. 

    A Nurse's Hands

    oncnursemsn replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in General Nursing

    Your words are so poignant- and I've been an allnurses member many years and appreciated your feedback. Glad you're retired, still posting and reminding us why we are nurses! Hugs and good emollient lotion for your hands...