HerbalGypsy

Thought provoking article and comments. I have been a nurse for 7 years but I am an older nurse having passed my boards at the age of 55 with and ADN. I am currently in school for my BSN and fairly proficient with technology. I love working with the new graduates who enter the field with enthusiasm and energy. What I am finding is that trying to find a less physically demanding job (9-5 clinic type instead of 12 hour floor shifts) is not happening. There is always a more qualified (younger) applicant. What has happened is that the younger nurse then leaves in less than a year to marry, have children, travel, etc. With the economy the way it is, I see my self working for at least another 5 years and if I can sustain the pace I will stay where I am! I do love sharing what I know on the medical oncology unit I am on and I also love the patients. JZ, I am with you on trying to save the essence of Nursing. We can work where we are and hold on to the light of the lamp;-)

You don't say where you are located. However, Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC has a resident program for new graduates with possible openings on the medical-oncology unit. It is an excellent program.

I graduated with an ADN and passed my boards at 54. Been at the bedside for the last five years, Got my OCN and I am back at school to get my BSN. No, your not too old!:)

Nurses who are pregnant are not allowed to handle chemotherapy on our unit. They just have to let management know as soon as they know themselves.

Join ONS. They provide an amazing journal and great opportunities for leaning.

I've been working in medical-oncology for almost 5 years and have found this to be quite common with central lines. Sometimes flushing slowly has been effective, but I will often tell patients to pretend they are at the ocean at low tide:lol2: A little laughter goes a long way.

I am so sorry for you and all those who love your sister. May you find solace in the love she shares with all of you, here and there.:heartbeat

Thanks for responding so quickly. Hopefully, I'll sleep okay. I think maybe because I am one of those "mature" new nurses, I don't allow myself to make mistakes. Most of my peers agewise have been in nursing for 30 years! I need to slow my actions down to allow my thinking to prevail. Thanks for the support.

There has been a number of threads r/t med errors. however, what about medical errors. I am seriously considering leaving my current position because of a mistake I have made. No harm came to the patient, but I did not heed my own critical thinking skills. I was questioning myself the entire time, but went ahead without asking anyone why. I have been in nursing for 2 years and should not be making these types of mistakes. I mistakenly placed an enteral feeding tube instead of an ng tube. I realized my error and placed the correct tube within a matter of minutes. My supervisors are aware. I am not sure where to go from here. Any advice?

My only response is that to become an RN, ADNs and BSNs all must take and pass the same exam. Therefore, they should get the same pay.

Hi There! Washington Hospital Center does hire travel nurses. They are frequently on my unit. 3NE. We had one travel nurse on the unit for 1 year! Her choice. As previously stated, the acuity is high but the experience is well worth it.

It is truly the patients that make it worthwhile. You are able to develop an ongoing relationship as they go through multiple cycles of chemo. Outcomes will differ but how the heart is touched is constant. I'll be on my Medical-Oncology unit two years in July and I don't think I would work on any other unit in the hospital.

Oncology nursing from the start! Lost a sister along time ago, to something "like leukemia". Always wanted to support others in similar circumstances. It is so very rewarding. We have many who come through the chemo, and come back to visit. I hardly recognized them with hair:lol2: Compassion is the first requisite. Vigilence is another. I feel that oncology nursing provides a outlet for how I have always thought of nursing: as a professional, caring, healing invironment. Just my thoughts, not so profound.

Oh, the pooh factor. Most of the time it does not bother me. Just once, when a patient had exploding diarrhea. Thank goodness he could walk to the bathroom. The entire bathroom was covered. Not the ceiling, but the walls and floor, not to mention the commode. And it happened not once, but twice in the same day. Housekeeping said the nurse had to clean most of it before they would touch it. I gagged my way through it. Now I keep a small bottle of lavender or peppermint oil in my locker. I dab:nurse: a little under my nose when necessary. You can do it. When you truly care for your patients it is amazing what you can stomach.

I just renewed my license for the first time and it feels terrific I waited a loooong time to become a nurse and I just love bedside nursing. It is enourmously challenging and rewarding. It can be very frightening as well if I dwell on the responsibilities of nursing. It is better to do the work than to worry about the possible problems. And yet, to be a good nurse, it is important to hold all of the ramifications of what we do in mind. It so suits those of us who love to multitask! I feel I am finally reaching the point where I have confidence in my skills. I still ask loads of questions, but I feel that is also being a good nurse. I am working on a medical/oncology unit and have seen many things that I was told in school "you never see", and I am not interested in changing positions. I work days and eves and prefer the eves. I feel like this is the only forum that might understand how happy I feel. Thanks for reading.

This is the time of year to stock up on capris length pants! I am 5' 1/2 so I also have a length problem. Would love to be your weight:lol2: I found the capris length to work great. Hope this helps.

Hi Dawn, We may get to know each other! I was also just hired as a new grad at a magnet hospital and I have a July start date. I am looking forward with great anticipation and trepedation to working in oncology. It has been a dream of mine since I was very young. I am glad to have the opportunity for the guidance provided by the program. I would not want to hit the floor running in this field. I have no idea what it means to work swing shift work by I will learn I still have to get my DC license. I have one from another state that has reciprosity. Peace.

I also disagree with 20/20. However, it is important to increase the amount of water consumed gradually. This allows the body to adjust to the increase and use the water and not just eliminate it. I always understood that caffeine is a diuretic and for each ounce of caffeinated beverage, 2 ounces of water should be consumed. To avoid hyponatremia, trace minerals can be added to the filtered water or just drink spring water. :)

Hi All, As a relatively new grad (Dec04) I am seeking to design a "brain" for use on a med oncology floor. (hopefuuly) Pt load is 5:1. I used a variety of styles as a student, but not one that I found really workable. Can anyone direct me to the previous discussions?

NCCLEXI took the test Feb 14. It shut off after 75 questions. I thought I had failed. I had alot of the alternative style questions. The type where you must select all of the correct answers or it is wrong. I took the Kaplan as well as used the Saunders. What truly helps the most is the rationales. Bottom line...I passed. :yelclap: I cannot believe that I have come so far. Good Luck to All. Try to control the stress!

The sixteenth was my final! Woohoo!! Our pinning was canceled because of weather. Just have to prepare for the NCLEX. I cannot believe that I have fullfilled a lifelong dream. I am waiting to get a job until I have my license in hand, but I am researching the various hospitals in the area. Good luck to all the new graduates