hav2nurse

Hello, I have been in Oncology for 7 years and I have worked as a floor nurse, outpatient large cancer center, community cancer center and private physician cancer center. I love it all. If you are going to be working on a Oncology floor then be ready to give lots of blood. Most chemotherapy can be given in outpatient locations, but highly toxic and bone marrow transplant patients usually receive chemotherapy in the hospital. For any new graduate, just remember to give yourself time to learn. I chose my first job at UCLA because the nurse manager told me that I wouldn't really feel comfortable until a year and then wouldn't really get it until 2 years. Of course, I didn't understand because many facilities only give you 2-8 weeks orientation. I was told I would get a minimum of 12 (no shortcuts) and could get an additional 4 if I needed, plus I attended a new grad class once a month for a year. I received the 12 weeks of orientation and then I constantly asked questions because my first job was on a liver transplant floor and had very specific drug, labs, and tasks. I was lucky and had many coworkers who liked the fact that I wasn't afraid to ask questions, and readily could admit was I didn't know or understand. Usually oncology floors have good orientation because the role involves chemotherapy and lots of immune suppressed patients. The best thing that worked for me was for me to know what I didn't know and not be afraid to ask or research until I fully understood. If you find a nurse who you feel is very knowledgeable and provide great care (doesn't have to be your preceptor) then ask them if they would be willing to be your mentor after your orientation (if its not your preceptor that you ask). Best of luck to you.

Positive thoughts, prayers and energy are going out to you. I recently left a job for the same reason; although I felt appreciated. However, I'm a single mom and wanted to be there more for my DD and I wanted to put more time into my health (after all I am not getting younger). I also recently completed my MSN so I took a new job. I like the new job, but its not exactly what I wanted and certainly less stressful. I do find myself bored at times and really want to use my education and experience for a job I love, but right now I love leaving on time, being able to be late without worrying that nobody is covering my clinic etc. etc. etc. Just remember why you quit and take the time to do those things you wanted and to really think about what type of job you want and what you are willing to do for that job. Best of luck.

I too work in Oncology and love it. I don't work on the floor, but I have worked in a number of oncology floors. I found that if you are not on a BMT floor then you don't give a lot of chemotherapy treatments so I left for the outpatient oncology clinics. I started my career with an ADN, then RN-BSN, and most recently I obtained my MSN in Clinical Research Administration. I do have an interest in Oncology clinical trial research, hence my MSN-CRA. I was limited in how I could obtain my MSN so I made the best choice at the time. I certainly don't regret my MSN choice, but I do wish I would have chosen another route. I would suggest you take time to think about what it is you really love about your work, (patients, chemotherapy, oncology science etc). You could obtain your NP and still work with patients in a hospital setting. As an oncology NP you could also be a navigator or run a specialty oncology program (like a oncology breast clinic). You could also obtain a Clinical Nurse Specialist MSN and you could then train and education the oncology nurses. Both routes keep you working in oncology and there may be less actual patient tasks and treatments but you still be involved in the patient care and possibly even treatments (if you work in a smaller place). Although both routes are more of a management level, the administrative work has to do with the oncology staff and oncology program. I don't know where you live but I would suggest you see if there is an Oncology CNS or NP that you could follow. Even if you have to travel a bit to follow a CNS or NP (just make sure they are doing the kind of work you would want, since some NP's see oncology patients as their primary in some oncology clinics), it is worth the little bit of time now versus having to add certifications and more education later. I am currently looking into getting my certification for CNS or NP, and since my MSN didn't include advance practice (pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology etc) I am almost having to earn another MSN. Hope that helps.

Am I missing something? I don't think the post was aimed specifically at younger nurses. The writer clearly said its an observation and she is talking about her facility. the writer even states that young nurses have to start somewhere. The post was about what a facility is doing to obtain higher Press Ganey scores and how it's about money. Referencing her observations of these newer nurses sitting at the nurse station and looking at their phones is just that...an observation. There are all types and ages of good and bad nurses. It would seem to me that a place for people to post their stories should be respected and not turn into a huge us against them mentality. These actions just make nurses seem unprofessional. I truly apologize to any new nurse who has experience bullying, but remember there are new nurses who also sit and gossip about older nurses and they get bullied too. I obtained my ADN when I was 38, so I was a bit older, and I have had great experiences. I think there were a few bad apples (nurses) in my training, but I also new that in a profession that requires nurses to perform many types of duties...you better keep up with your nursing education (doesn't mean further education, although it's a great idea). You gain respect by giving respect, and you can't be afraid to admit that you don't know something and ask for help. On the other hand, when you are asked for help you should understand that someone is looking to you for guidance and provide the help/assistance because they may be taking care of you one day. Nursing is a professional career, but I wonder why they don't include a professional class or section in nursing schools. Students in a nursing class are no longer just young kids, but a wide range of people that come from a wide range of experiences and cultures. I would think since we are all going to have to work together that professional collaboration education would be started in nursing school.

I know it must be frustrating, and living in a smaller community makes it more difficult. Have you sat down and really thought about what you are willing to do for work. For example, would you commute (you may be able to find 4-10 hour day clinic job), are you will to get new certifications (Oncology infusion nurses are always needed and the ONS chemotherapy class is 2 days and cost about $200-3--), are you willing to work on odd shift? I think if you are more flexible with what your willing to do, you may find more opportunities. It sounds like you are not interested in furthering your education, but a MSN can keep you working until you want to retire, and you don't pay loans while your in school (although if they are interest loans then that will still be building up unless you just pay the interest amount). I have been a single mom for a long time and my youngest turns 18 when I am 50. I am not vested in any work facility, and barely have any retirement savings; however, I did continue my education and earned my MSN at 47. I may have student loans but I did what I had to do to ensure I could continue working since I have nobody else to rely on but myself. I know some facilities are all about money, but some specialties really want someone who is experience or at least shows enthusiasm for working in their facility. I encourage you to really decide what you are willing to put up with. Also, someone did mention travel nursing. I did travel nursing for 3 years, and unless you will be taking jobs that are in your field, you will work hard. It is a good possibility that there are clinic travel jobs. I know I have been getting tons of emails asking me if I want to do travel work. I would just caution you to stay away from a hospital floor position because some of the assignments are difficult and if you have not done hospital work in awhile, it will be challenging. I wish you all the best.

Starting as an RN, how exciting. I love oncology, and would never leave the specialty. As a new grad, I would think they may not give you chemotherapy patients, or the ones there for chemo side effects. If you are working mostly with oncology patients, then you would see lots of blood, antiobiotics, chemo, pain control, and patient who are there for workups. The hardest part for me to learn was how to listen. Newly diagnosed patients have a lot of emotions to deal with and they don't necessarily want answers, but someone to listen and hold their hand. Each oncology patient needs something different and learning to read what will help them most takes times. Also, I highly recommend you take the ONS Biotherapy & Chemotherapy class (your facility may have their own chemotherapy certification requirements) because it is very helpful to new oncology nurses. The best advice I can give you is to be an active learner. Sometimes nurses know things from experience and don't always remember to share their insights so ask questions. If your ready to learn all you can, then you are ready to be a good nurse. Good luck and don't let the bad days throw you off, but rather learn from them.

I graduated with my ADN nursing program in 2004 (my second career), my RN-BSN in 2008 and my MSN-CRA in 2012 so I don't have tons of bedside nursing experience. I always knew that I would eventually work in Oncology research, but felt that I should have some clinical experience. I threw myself into bedside nursing, worked registry so I could be comfortable working in any facility, and also did 3 years of travel nursing. Travel nurses are pretty much thrown onto a floor and expected to just start working. What I learned, from all the experience I jammed into 5 years, was that there are some really poorly trained nurses out there who I think should not be on the floor. It made me realize that good nurses are the nurses that want to be good. When they are not great at certain skills they find ways to learn and look to nurses who can help and they get better. Also, a lot of new nurses are entering the profession as their second career so they have the experience and maturity it takes to lead. I have met nurses who have been on the floor for 10 years and they only know their floor, but lack any further advanced knowledge. The great thing about nursing is that you can work in a small community hospital, on the same floor for years or you can try many different things, or advance your education. Your experience or education level does not make you a good nurse, but rather your passion, care of patients, and skills. There are great nurse educators that would make terrible bedside nurses, and great bedside nurses that would make terrible nurse educators. Variety is the beauty of nursing. I love nursing and admire all my fellow nurses. Yes, there are some nurses out there that don't care and only want a pay check, but to make assumptions on a narrow group of people is dismissing all the great and wonderful nurses out there. As a professional group we should celebrate each others victories.

I don't think you should beat yourself up about this mistake. Believe me, you will never make that mistake again. The other nurse may not have know about Lantus either. Whenever your not sure about something, ask. A mistake turns into a lesson once you learned from it. [h=1]"True wisdom is knowing what you don't know" Confucius.[/h]

I think you are on the right track by doing your research. I am an oncology nurse and part of my previous job included some case management functions (navigator role) and sometimes when I was trying to get patients hooked up with home care I had to do what may be considered "creative writing." I did not lie, but medicare has very specific wording they need to cover certain health care needs. I would often have to ask the physician to add an addendum to his note to include why the patient needed enteral feedings etc. Many of the home health and hospice facilities would tell me how things needed to worded. I never lied about anything, and when we could not state things the way they wanted the patient could not get the care, so I think it's very important to complete your research before whistleblowing. Of course if you find it is fraud, then you should report them; however I know it's easier said than done. I have worked with so many people that have been unhappy about their jobs and were always saying "I can't quit because I have kids, mortgage, and bills." That is true of all of us, but what I can tell you is that I too worked at a horrible place (not as a nurse), and the manager was awful and swore and yelled all the time. I was just a temp so I may have been treated a bit better, but I saw how the other staff was treated and they all complained. That day I swore to myself that I would never stay at a job that made me unhappy. I have lived up to that promise, and I have had many jobs, but I have gained great experience and I feel confident to stand my ground when things don't seem right in my nursing career. I am also lucky because I work in oncology and have had great experinces. I won't say I aways worked exactly where I wanted to, and I did do travel nursing for a few years, but I am confident in my nursing skills and strongly advocate for myself and my patients. It goes back to the old saying, "you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others." I encourage you to get in a good place first. Make that your focus and put all your energy into you and then you may see things differently and have the strength you need to do whatever it is you need to do. It's clear that your job is a huge stress for you right now so I would suggest doing whatever it takes to get out of there. I too have student loans, I'm a single mom, and have many bills, but I gladly pay those bills each month because I am happy and no amount of money is worth losing your happiness. I know it's difficult to make and accept change but I hope you find your happiness. Good luck to you.

I met a great group of girl when I was in nursing school (approx. 6 years ago). We made a great study group and our ages were 19 - 38 (five young women). Me and one other girl were married and the other three had boyfriends. We kept in touch for awhile but I moved around but every time I am back in the area I work a few shift at one of the local hospitals two of the girls work at and we catch up. I also just found another girl on facebook and we chat via facebook. One girl did not pass the NCLEX and hasn't kept in touch. We formed a close bond, but life lead us all in different directions but when we talk or meet up its just like old times. I also just connected with a couple of other nursing students from my class even though we weren't part of eachother's study group. So I guess I'm just saying that you do make great friends, but life does happen and we all have to move on but if you were close then you find ways to stay in touch.

I agree that changing your mindset is a great way to start. I too am an Oncology nurse and I have worked on Oncology and BMT floors. I just want to mention that Oncology patients in the hospital are there because they are very seek or they are expected to get very sick from high dose chemo, but in the outpatient setting you get to see them a bit healthier. You may want to think about outpatient oncology after some more experience on the floor. You get to see your patients when they are well. They still pass away but you don't have to see the worse of it and the families usually come back and say thanks. Many patients become like family so I won't say that it gets easier but it becomes different when you know the patient had a loving family and they let you into their lives. Maybe it would be worse for you, but I find it comforting to know that I was able to part of my patients lives and help them and their family through a very challenging time.

I am an experienced nurse who has been working as a travel nurse and jobs are becoming harder to come by. I have also started trying to obtain a permanent position, but they are either jobs I really don't want or part-time. I feel bad for all the new grads who are having trouble finding jobs, but don't give up. If you are willing to relocate use the internet to search for any hospital that is hiring. I would also suggest that you prepare a really powerful introduction letter and have instructor write reference letters for you. Send your resume with the reference letter, introduction letters, to nurse recruiters at hospitals in areas where you would be willing to live for awhile. With many nurses trying to find jobs right now, you want to stand out and be persistant. Follow each resume with a phone call to the nursing recruiter. If you have to take a job that isn't the perfect first job, you might want to take it just to get the experience. You may also want to try and find out when hospitals start their new grad programs because many only have them twice a year. Large hospitals like UCLA hire a large group of new grads twice a year so you may want to just try large hospitals to get the experience.