dreavt

Thank you! This is very helpful! I have found a couple of programs that I think I could do in a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable amount of money. Now just need to decide if I definitely want to get my BSN first, or try to get a job *without* my BSN, just in case I get lucky, with an online BSN program as my back up plan...

Than you for the insight! I have to admit the work/debt involved in getting a BSN isn't too appealing... but I will definitely research my options. Thanks again!

i took the exam 4 years ago and passed, and quite a few of my colleagues (past and present) are also OCN and passed on the first try. In fact the only nurse I personally know of who failed was one who didn't study -- she felt she'd been an oncology nurse long enough (12 years!) that she didn't need to study. Of course the issue is that it tests your knowledge of ALL of oncology nursing -- most of us specialize to some or to a large extent. She'd only ever worked on a med-surg hem/onc inpatient unit (that rarely treated gyn onc patients, they went to another floor), and so of course had little experience with radiation oncology, gyn onc, preventative/screening stuff, outpatient treatments, and so on. So my advice is: Figure out what you DON'T know -- the study guide that accompanies the Core Curriculum is great for that. Focus on your weaknesses Do tons of practice questions -- don't get frustrated when you get some wrong, figure out what went wrong when you were answering -- sometimes it's not that you don't know the answer(s), it's that you misread/panicked/overthought Try to let go of anxiety Take your time and do your best, knowing that if you fail, it is NOT the end of the world -- you can try again! Good luck -- you'll be fine! Drea

Hi everyone! I am 95% sure my family will be moving to Portland, likely within the next 1-2 years. My partner's a writer, so can live anywhere, but I've been an oncology nurse, specifically a "chemo nurse" (aka infusion nurse) for almost 6 years, and love my field. I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts/insights/opinions about the various cancer centers and oncology clinics in the Portland/Vancouver (we are leaning toward North Portland) area -- employers with good or bad reputations as far as quality of care, treatment of nurses, and so on? Possibly relevant: I don't have a BSN (I have a BA in another field + an ADN) -- it seems that OHSU "requires" outside applicants to have one. Any thoughts on how strict this requirement is, and/or whether this will be an issue with other employers in the area? Obviously, I'm a way off from being ready to apply for jobs, but I'm excited about and interested in what my best options may be when the time comes. Thanks so much! Drea

Thanks, Purple & Meriwhen! That's what I was leaning towards. Part of me is just curious to know if I'll make the cut... Appreciate your input!

Hi all, I applied for a job which I think in many ways would be perfect for me. Alas, the hours (8-5 M-F) and commute (1+ hr each way) would be terrible for my life & family. In my initial interview, it became clear that this was not something that would be easily adjusted in the future -- in fact they are looking for a replacement because the current nurse in this position wants to go to part-time, which they "just can't do" (and their rationale made perfect sense). I also learned that this is going to be a long process, with multiple interviews with various individuals and groups -- they are looking for a "perfect" candidate. After much discussion and thinking, I've decided don't want to pursue this job. Honestly, I doubt I would get it anyway (I think I'd be great at it, but "perfect"???). On the other hand, you never know.... My question(s): Should I email the nursing supervisor (who interviewed me) now and let her know I'm no longer interested? Wait and see if I'm invited back for the second round of interviews, and then decline? How can I gracefully and professionally communicate that I'd love this job if it was 2-3 days a week? Any advice most welcome! Thank you!

I'm sure it varies regionally and facility-to-facility, as others have pointed out. My experience is no -- I've got an ADN, and neither I nor any of my classmates had a harder time getting a job than BSN nurses who graduated at the same time (summer 2009).

I may be getting ahead of myself, but I'm obsessing about this and hope articulating it will help -- any feedback appreciated! I've been a nurse for just over 2 yrs, all of that on an inpatient hem/onc unit. Currently I work 2 12-hr nights back-to-back per week. Having those 4 days off (I don't count .5 of the day before and the day after my two nights on because I'm sleeping), is pretty sweet. My job itself is very stressful most of the time, in large part due to what I will diplomatically call "unsupportive" management, understaffing, high turnover, etc. I also feel more and more that acute care nursing is not my gig -- I really want to encounter pts earlier in their cancer journey. Also, I love oncology and about 20-30% of our pts at any given time are actually general med-surg overflow (including a significant number of ETOH or acetaminophen overdoses -- really? on an *oncology* unit?) -- again, not my gig, generally speaking. I *also* think that shift work is inherently unhealthy, at least for long periods. So, I've started applying for other jobs. I got a call today for an interview for a oncology clinical trials nursing job, and was kinda giddy about it for a few hours -- I've always wanted to work in clinical research, I've participated in many trials as a patient, and it just seems like it would fit with my personality and interests. Here's the thing: it's M-F 8:30-5. Like a *normal* job. The commute would be an hour+/- depending on if I drove or took the bus -- about the same as my current job (except I don't have the option of the bus currently). Should I sacrifice my sweet schedule/painful job for a sweet job/painful schedule? I'm 40, have a partner and a 7 yr-old that I really like to spend time with. My partner works from home and could pick up the childcare/household slack, but it would be a drag. I know no one can tell me what to do, and of course I may not even be offered this job -- but others I've applied for are also FT days. Anybody made a switch like this? How was it? Any advice or thoughts? Thanks so much!

Hello all, I just got back from the ONS Institutes of Learning and am now fascinated with the use of "closed system transfer devices" for chemo administration, especially for actually connecting the chemo tubing to the pt's line (central or peripheral). I've been an inpatient hem/onc nurse for 2+ yrs, giving chemo for 1+ yr, and have never even really understood what these devices were (I thought they were interchangeable with "needleless connectors") -- however at IOL, it seemed like common practice. I'm curious about your experience with them, and advice/thoughts on introducing their use at my institution. Thanks!

*oops -- random double-post deleted*

You find out if you passed the OCN exam immediately -- right after you submit your final answer!

Everyone gets the same number of questions, but not the same questions. However all the tests follow the "blueprint" -- i.e. x % of questions are about oncologic emergencies, x % are about supportive care, etc. Remember that unlike the NCLEX, you can go back after you've answered a question -- you can even flag the ones you want to re-check if you have time at the end. I passed on my 1st try with about 1.75 yrs of experience as a nurse, all of it in inpatient hem/onc, and studying for about 1 month. I was ALL ABOUT the questions! It gives you a good sense of where your weaknesses and strengths are, and the type of questions you are likely to get. I took it around the same time with 2 co-workers -- one relied on her 12-yr experience and failed, the other, with about 5 yrs experience, studied for longer than I did (at least 3 months, and consistently, every day), passed easily. I really think if you prepare, most people will pass. Don't freak out! Good luck!

I signed up in January 2011 and passed in May! It was tough but not absurdly so -- however IMHO *you must study* no matter how many years experience you have. The questions are just too detailed and in too many subspecialities of oncology for any one human to just wing it. Do know that it's different than the NCLEX in that you can go *back* and change answers -- that can be a bad thing, but if you use it judiciously it allows you to move on from a tricky question and than go back later if another question triggers the answer. I used this book which I borrowed from a coworker: http://www.amazon.com/Core-Curriculum-Oncology-Nursing-4th/dp/0721603572/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b BUT FIRST I did the study guide: http://www.amazon.com/Study-Guide-Curriculum-Oncology-Nursing/dp/0721603599/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312726235&sr=8-1 I went thru the study guide cover to cover answering all the questions, checking my answers, reading the rationale and taking notes about what I did not know. I found some chapters (i.e. a lot of the psychosocial stuff) really easy, barely missed any questions -- so I skipped those chapters in the text book when actually studying. Other chapters I would get many questions but there were subcategories I clearly needed to brush up on; and other chapters I missed so many that it was obvious I needed to really focus on that chapter/subject matter. That part took several weeks because I wouldn't do many chapters at a time. Then I crammed with the actual text book for about 1 1/2-2 weeks. Good luck!

Yeah, I passed the NCLEX in early June, didn't start my first nursing job until late August. So technically I was an RN/nurse, but felt like a fraud when family/friends would introduce me as such "She's a nurse" -- um, no. Maybe on paper, but not in reality!

I was hired as a new grad to an inpatient hem/onc floor, in Aug 2009. I LOVE it, at least the onco part! About 5 months ago, my unit sent men to an ONS chemo course. The things I did not know much about as a new grad, and *needed* to know on the floor: : hematological malignancies, particularly AML; and standard tx thereof : neutropenia and neutropenic fever & management : heme & electolyte lab values : oncological emergencies : blood products -- all the details about parameters & administration : PEG-tubes -- care and feedings : end of life care Good luck! It's a fascinating speciality, and though it can be very hard emotionally, it can also be very rewarding.

As a new grad ADN in summer 2009 (when the job market for new grad RNs started to really suck), I applied for a "BSN preferred" new grad position at a teaching hospital, and after some lobbying and waiting and networking, was hired. Still there and happy. My fellow RNs are a mix of ADNs and BSNs, and our unit's asst manager is an ADN (though close to getting her BSN). I say go for it. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies! I hadn't really thought of travel nursing -- I'll have to look into it more, I'm afraid the competition for assignments in paradise would likely be stiff!

Hi everyone! Just a shot in the dark, but I'm wondering if anyone here works or has worked in the US Virgin Islands? Or known anyone who does/has? It's freezing and snowy here, and on night shift last night I flipped through a magazine about island living and started to get a bit carried away with daydreaming. There seems to be a decent size hospital on St Thomas, with a cancer center (I'm an onc nurse) The Schneider Regional Medical Center .... Just curious! Thanks for any thoughts!

Thanks for your replies, sorry I haven't responded -- so busy with "real" life, haven't been on the forums much at all! I've done that a few times, and though I find mentions of the schools here and there (i.e. "I'm looking into School X"), I've found very little concrete info/feedback, especially specific to the programs I'm looking at. Which makes sense since they are relatively small programs and nurses in my shoes (ADN + non-nursing BA, seeking online MSN without 1000s + 1000s of $ worth of "bridge" courses) are relatively rare. But no harm in trying to find others with insight, right? And of course I will keep searching. That's exciting! I'm about 80% settled on applying to Sacred Heart myself. The only non-graduate level courses I'd need are Health Assessment (which I would need to take first, thru SHU) and Statistics (which I would not need to take until I had a couple of MSN courses done, and which I could do locally [read: cheaply]). I had looked briefly at Saint Josephs, and decided against it, but can't recall why -- I will revisit their site. I do like the 8 week format! I am tempted by Rush, seems like a great school and they have been great about communicating, but it is much more expensive than SHU. Amherst is much MUCH more expensive (at least for out of staters). I need to pursue SLU a little more -- the nursing school has a relationship with the undergrad school that seemed really complicated, with conflicting info about requirements depending on where you look, and sort of turned me off. But before I commit, I need to make sure I'm not overlooking a good alternative. Good luck with SHU -- I'd love to hear how it (applying, getting in, starting!) goes for you. Best, Drea

Hello all! I'm looking to get my MSN, probably with a CNL focus, and have found a few schools that will allow RNs with an ADN plus a non-nursing Bachelor's to apply directly to the MSN program, no BSN required. I can't relocate, and no local schools meet my criteria, so it will need to be completely -- or nearly so -- online/distance. The programs I've found are: Sacred Heart University Rush University U Mass Amherst Saint Louis University Does anyone know of others I should look into? Also, does anyone have any experience with the above schools? Thanks! Drea

In oncology, advocacy orgs like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society offer lots of free CEUs for nurses -- the ones I have done are often a podcast of a talk, conference, etc., which makes it extra convenient, I just listen during my commute, fill out the eval online, and presto. They usually are 1-2 CEUs. ONS also has *some* free courses available via their web site, and every issue of the their journal has articles that you can get credit (usually 0.5-1.5) for reading by answering a few questions online. Whatever your speciality, I would think there'd be similar organizations out there offering similar stuff? Good luck!

I'm afraid I don't have much advice, just lots of sympathy! It seems like every day I learn of new programs out there -- the time it takes just to navigate the (sometimes poorly designed) web sites and try to figure out/guess what *might* transfer (I have a liberal arts BA as well as ADN) and what it *might* actually cost is crazy. And of course many sites don't list this info on their site, you need to fill out a "more information" form, and wait for the sales people to call you and make their pitch. I rule out anything that is not CCNE accredited; anything that has an onsite clinical requirement (most that I have looked into have you do "clinical" with an agency/employer near your home, often in public health); anything that seems outrageously expensive. I have a slight bias toward schools with a brick and mortar version, thinking it might look more legitimate on a resume (no idea if people reading resumes actually care about this). And I of course would like to actually learn some things, so a quality program with accessible instructors, etc. would be nice -- but that is so hard to tell, naturally all the web sites, admissions counselors, etc. assure you of how *wonderful* the education will be! My BA was light on hard sciences/math, so I also consider chemistry/statistics/algebra/etc. requirements. OTOH, I actually wouldn't mind taking a statistics or genetics course... and am somewhat skeptical of a program that grants a BSN without requiring some of those courses. So far, American Sentinel University -- http://www.americansentinel.edu/online-degree/bachelor-degree-online/rn-to-bsn-program.php -- is ahead on affordability, simply because they give you 90 credits for having an RN license, leaving only 30 credits to be completed, at $340/credit. But as I said, it's not all about affordability.... Then to completely blow my mind, there's WGU which doesn't even do credits per se, just charges a flat rate per semester, so that one could *in theory* be finished in 2 semesters for under $7000. So there are my rambling thoughts for what their worth! Good luck & keep us posted! Best, Drea

Yep -- not much luck, though -- I find brief references (i.e. "I'm considering XYZ school") but no discussion of reasons chosen/interested, experience thus far, etc. So I thought I'd try a brand new thread! Thanks, Drea

Hi all, I'm trying to figure out which online BSN completion program is best for me. It is crazy how many are out there that meet the minimum requirements of CCNE accreditation and no on-campus component. I have a BA in liberal arts, so will be able to transfer most general education credits in. Utica College, Kent State & American Sentinel are on my shortlist (as well as more widely posted about schools, like Kaplan, Chamberlain & WGU). Just wondering if anyone has any experience or feedback about these three schools? Thanks! Drea

Definitely no air! Learned the hard way when I was on orientation -- we have the carpuject injectors, but few use them, and they are often hard to find. I was in a rush to get morphine, knew it was possible to draw out of the carpuject vials, injected air like I do when drawing meds out of a regular vial -- cap popped off and 2 mg of morphine sprayed onto me, the counter, etc. -- agh. Have since drawn out of them many times with no problems, just *don't* inject air first.