gratefulnurse

Thank you, Myersk08. I appreciate the encouragement. I have been administering chemotherapy for over 5 years. I do have the entry-level biotherapy card. I believe this is an open-book exam. I have taken it 3 times, renewing every 2 years. What I am after now, is the Certification as an Oncology nurse. There is a review class online for $279. I am enrolled in that class but find the amount of material to learn quite challenging. I am also many years distant from much formal testing. I am honing both the knowledge base in the review material, and reading various sources on how to answer questions in a nursing exam. This level is what has me slightly over-whelmed. Off to study, I must go! My peers that have taken the test tell me it is hard. So these next months, I will be focusing on this material and getting ready for the exam.

These are helpful comments. Thank you very much. I am slowly working through the online review classes. I actually went on line put into the search box a variety of words related to test-taking of nursing exams. This led me to some helpful blogs and videos. For someone who has been out of the academic arena as long as I have, the actual test-taking skills are as important as the knowledge base. I anticipate that I will study for several months and intend to take the test in mid-March. I want to break for the holidays and have time for family, etc. Any more contributions are greatly appreciated!

As an ONS member, I have the entry level biotherapy card. I am enrolled in the on-line Oncology Nurse Certification review class with ONS. It's been more than a few years since I have needed to have sharp test-taking skills. I want to hear from active ONC RN's and what really helped them prepare and pass the test. Let's just say I really want to earn this certification and am willing to work for it. I miss the college years of huddling with classmates and reviewing our notes together! Any tips? Thanks!

Stardogdaisy,what you wrote about the VA has me intrigued, and I would like to ask you more questions, but you don't have any contact info listed. I would like to know if I can follow up on your offer to find out more about the Denver VA jobs. Thanks

Back to the VA Hospital, I am planning on applying to work there. Can someone explain the benefit of health insurance after 5 years of employment that is provided in retirement? Do I need to work a full 20yr and come out with a full retirement to get the health benefit, or can I just work an isolated 5 yrs, leave the VA, and then pick the health benefit up at retirement age?

I am anticipating applying at the VA hospital either in Denver CO or Cheyenne WY. I have been an RN for 28 yr. I would like any insight on what might help increase my chances of being hired. I like their retirement benefits!

This is my third camp to be nurse at, and my third summer at this camp. I will be at K-1, Kanakuk, near Branson MO, in exchange form my 13year old to attend a golf camp for two weeks. I love it!

I am perdiem, and pick up a lot of extra shifts during the winter. The hospital I work at has guarrented hours, so in the summer when the demand is not there, the hospital gladly gives me reduced hours. Camp nursing is a great way to kids to go free. We earn it and work for it, but it is better than being in the hospital.

In Colorado, camps cannot open unless they have qualified health personnel on-site 24/7. I have camp-nursed at three different facilities. One of them came to me and begged me to come! I did go with a 6 week old infant (he stayed with me at all times) and my 3 grade-school daughters were fully scholarshipped by the camp. Usually the terms are stated very specifically, where camp-nursing is done in exchange for 1 scholarship. However the camp will work with you if there is any way you can help them like no one else. Camp nursing has enabled wonderful things for my kids. Now that newborn is 12 years old, and we will be at a prestigious golf camp for 2 weeks, and he will be waived the 2K cost as I will be there.