JoMom4

When we are hiring for nurses in radiation oncology, we are ideally looking for someone with oncology or out-patient experience. That doesn't mean someone without that experience can't be hired- attitude and willingness to learn go far. Rad Onc nursing is very much a coordination role and someone who is used to running a clinic while triaging phone calls is very helpful experience to have. Understanding oncology terms and what a patient is going through is also helpful. So, my advice is to go for a job that you will truly love doing and if the hours and setting of Rad Onc is appealing to you, be prepared for a steep learning curve. We currently have a nurse who came to us as a new grad a year ago and she is awesome. This is an area she loves and she actively learns from the team every day. Being happy in your job goes a long way to being successful. Good luck!

Hi Sungrl01 Radiation Oncology is a terrific field for nursing, but many don't understand what we do. The role of the nurse in Rad Onc is to coordinate care as a patient travels the journey from consultation, through treatment and into follow-up. It is very much a "navigator/coordinator" role- meaning there are many steps in the process and the nurse is the person who keeps track of prior-auths, getting outside records, symptom management needs, follow up appts with other specialties like med onc for chemo, etc. There are many different forms of radiation treatment, so learning terms like external beam, HDR, protons, total body irradiation is helpful. You work closely with the team of MD, physicist, dosimetrist and radiation therapist, and also refer to dieticians, social workers, speech therapy and dental. Different cancer sites being radiated cause different symptoms, so learning that will be helpful. You really get attached to the patients, as they rely on you heavily while they are going through difficult treatment. To me, it's the essence of nursings and a wonderful role. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Tony, Congratulations on advancing your career! I graduated UoP in June 2010 with MSN/MHA degree. I believe you get out of it what you put into it. I took it seriously and did well. I didn't think it was real hard- just takes time out of your week and you have to plan how you will get the work done. Get the APA book. You can use an APA website, but I found having the book with stickies on the pages I used frequently was a big help. Good luck!

Last year, I finished my MSN/MHA degree with the UoP online program. I applied for a management position at a well-respected hospital while I was 2/3 into the program. I got the position and have been promoted twice so far. I know UoP doesn't have the reputation that some institutions have but at least I have my Masters degree. I finsished with a 3.98 GPA. I believe you get what you put into the program. I also believe that work habits and what you can do for your employer is more important than where you received your degree. I chose the online program for its convenience. Only 15% of students who start at UoP graduate, so you can't say that it's an easy program. It does take committment. Writing numerous papers has made me very good at business writing. I can write proposals, newsletters, evaluations, etc and it comes easy to me. Others say I write well. WritePoint certainly helped my writing skills. For a leadership position, UoP is fine. I wouldn't do this program for a CNS or NP program. I think you need more clinical and personal experience. The only disappointment I had was that I had hoped to teach an online course after graduation to help pay off the student loans. UoP only hires faculty who have graduated over 2 years ago. So, here I sit and wait for another year. I am having difficulty finding a teaching position with other institutions and I have to wonder is it the UoP degree or just the market? Good Luck!

I am currently studying for the AONE CNML certification exam. The list of study materials they offer seems dated to me. Has anyone taken the exam recently and how relevent is the list of study articles? Should I look up my own information based on the outline of topics? Any other tips or study suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

Hi everyone. It's been awhile since I've been on this site but wanted to check back in and say that I completed my MSN/MHA at UoP last week. Took me a little under 3 years with a couple of months off last year due to a move and job change. Just want to let you all know it is doable and so worth it in the end! Anyone in the program-hang in there! Anyone thinking about going back to school- go for it! It takes dedication and focus but it puts you a step ahead in the long run. Good luck to all of you!

Oh yes, there are plenty of us still plugging along. I started with the MSN/MHA program in July 2007. Switched to the MSN/Ed program in April 2008 because I thought that I'd be happier teaching. Yes, I enjoy teaching, but honestly, nursing administration is an area where I like the challenges and it pays better. (It's not all about the money, but you have to pay the bills!). So, with 5 classes to go, I realized I would have 5 classes left to get my MSN/MHA and have the dual degree. I just took a nursing managment position where I see myself working for a very long time. So, I am in the process of changing my degree program back to the dual degree. Reading on the computer takes a little getting used to, but it's really not bad. I did buy the book for Economics because it was not my strong area. You'll find that most of your information comes from searching the web and researching journal articles in the UoP library. Yes, it takes dedication to get the work done week after week, but the classmates are very interesting and I am happy with what I have learned. I was a little frustrated in the first few courses at the level of some of the students in the class. Didn't feel everyone was at a graduate level. But as I progressed along, I found that those students tended to drop off, and the ones remaining were strong teammates. (Learning teams are tough if not everyone has the same work ethic or quality of work handed in). Good luck getting started. You'll only know if it's for you if you try it out! JoAnn

In the skills lab, I have set up a "simulation" of giving AM meds. We use a med cart and mannequin with an IV. There is an administration record and the student will give po, insulin, an IV push, and an IV piggyback med. I will list the patient's vitals and blood sugar ahead of time so that the student will determine if the beta-blocker or antihypertensive med should be given. I also have the student determine the regular insulin coverage based on a sliding scale ordered, and mix it with NPH. Determining the number of pills, how fast to push the med, is this a central or peripheral line?, checking for allergies...these help incorporate the "critical thinking" aspect of giving meds. It can be a little time consuming, but works well for students who need extra confidence before giving meds to a real person.

"One more comment ... I am 46 yo and just starting my MSN after working for 20 years as a bedside nurse. It is never too late and let's face it I have at least 20-25 yrs before retirement." Good for you! I am the same age and a little over half way through my grad degree. I feel the same- I still have many more years to contribute to the profession. I actually enjoy the courses and working with other nurses towards my degree. Good luck!

My 2 cents- follow your heart. I have just started teaching ADN clinicals while I work on my MSN/Ed. I love clinical days! I still work 3 days a week on the tele floor, and am lucky to teach clinicals on my unit. The students really respect an instuctor who knows the realities of the unit. I love seeing the lightbulbs go off! I have looked at salaries, and know I will take a pay cut to teach. But I hope to supplement my income teaching an online course or two. I once took a job with a $7/hour pay cut. It was the best job, and eventually, I got a promotion and raises, and got back up to a decent rate. So I know that money isn't everything. Do what *excites* you. PS-not all students are bratty. Most of them appreciate your help and guidance. The bratty ones- weed them out. As teachers we are sustaining our profession in the best way possible.

This will be my first Christmas as a clinical instructor. As an instructor, do you do anything for the students?

I recently read this article about grading and the legal considerations for nursing faculty. I thought it was very informative and eased my mind a bit. grade disputes considerations for nursing faculty.pdf

The amount of blood passing thorugh the superior vena cava (where the tip of the PICC should be) is over 2 liters per minute. There is no "mixing" due to the large volume of blood flowing in this area. As long as it is a double or triple lumen, and the patient's heart can handle both rates of fluid simultaneously, blood and TPN can be given together. Usually the rate of the TPN is decreased during the infusion.

As students, you have a lot of information given to you to memorize. I have often found that when I give the answer, the student does not remember the information one week later. By asking questions, I am trying to help you figure it out yourself, understand what is going on, and truly understand the answer. You will remember it better. Nursing is not easy. The patients will not provide you with answers. They will give you clues and you need to figure out what is going on, as with the example given by the previous poster. All of your accusations that the instructors don't know anything makes you sound like whining children, not the critical thinking professionals you are going to school to become.

To all new grads- Hang in there! Most of us experienced nurses feel for you and we remember well what we went through during that first year. I was a 3-yr diploma grad and I had much more clinical experience when I got out than some of you who are going through accelerated and 2-yr programs. Plus, the patients are sicker these days than they were 25 years ago. If your shift is going downhill fast, let your charge nurse know. As a charge nurse, I feel bad when a nurse comes to me in tears. I always tell my newer nurses "Tell me when you feel you are starting to lose control of the assignment. I can jump in and perform a few tasks at that point to help get you back on track." Charge nurses are busy too, often with their own patient load, so they may not be able to see what's going on with your patients. I have taken an interest in mentoring new grads and supporting them. 60% of nurses change jobs within 1 year of passing the boards. I think this is because everyone thinks the grass is greener somewhere else. Usually, it's not. Rather than stressing out about a new job and losing benefits gained after 1 year of employment, my goal is to support new nurses and get them to the point of being comfortable as the RN and stay where they are (if they are happy with the specialty they are in). Like I said before, hang in there, it will get better!:heartbeat