beckabeckahi

I work in oncology, and we have had a shortage of drugs for over a year now. Believe it or not, one of the local hospitals is out of DECADRON. I can think of four or five chemo drugs that have been in short supply over the last year which we had to substitute and alternative drug for.

We use Emend and dexamethasone regularly, as well as Aloxi, which would be given day of treatment. They both work well, also the Ativan as others have mentioned.

Are you working inpatient? If so work with your preceptor/education dept to find a chemo certification course, that's a good start. Use the patients you take care of as case studies, look up there diseases, and drugs, and learn as you go. There is a huge psychosocial component to oncology nursing as well, a skill which is important. And as all the other said, join ONS!! Use the website, take the web-based classes, they also have publications. Best of luck!!!

There are bigger issues than an unwashed bottle. She's being a jerk, let it go, and believe in yourself a little more. I once had a nurse come and find me to tell me my patient was on the floor in a condescending tone right after I had received report. Like it was my fault. People can be mean, it's not worth one second of your precious time away from work worrying about it.

It's 6-8 patients where I work, days or nights. It's too many patients.

Before I was a nurse I worked in a group home and gave out meds all the time. But those were in labeled containers not in pill boxes. We took med training that was approved by the department of developmental disabilities (DDD) and never a problem.

I've learned my lesson with Ambien too. Turns alert and oriented into disoriented and a fall risk. If patient takes at home, usually not an issue, but if not, there about a 20% chance they'll go off the deep end.

I would recommend getting some hospital experience first. Infusion center is where i would like to be headed, it's a nice setting. If chemo/oncology is your interest specifically, seek out a hospital based oncology unit. There is so much to learn regarding chemotherapy, plus the hands on skill of venous access and managing central lines, it will serve you well. Outpatient infusion centers tend to be very FAST PACED which as a new grad isn't going to be your strong point. Also depending on where you are, a doctor's office won't have as many resources to go to if you have a question. Best of luck with your decision.

First of all, as a fellow oncology nurse, I think that some days we all feel this way. What I am beginning to learn, is that it takes time and awareness, to manage your feelings. I have been overwhelmed recently by the pain and suffering I have seen on my unit, and of course the family members are as tough to handle as well. I think first and foremost, if you don't feel you can handle oncology nursing, perhaps there is another path for you. For myself, I feel called to this area of nursing, and despite the difficulties, am choosing to continue. Nursing is a great career, with many avenues, and job security in these tough times. While it's hard to see the pain and suffering, you can't take on the suffering of the patient. You are providing the best care that you can given the constraints of the situation. When you go home, go home. Leave the work behind you and go out and HAVE SOME FUN!! For myself, I love to hike, and many days as I make a point of going when I am busy and as I walk, I think I am doing this because I can. None of us can ever tell when the time will come when we are unable to participate in a healthy life, so enjoy while you can. Being miserable and depressed isn't going to help your patient, and it's a must to set some emotional boundaries from work and take care of yourself. No one wants a burnt out, emotionally depleted nurse. Ask yourself if you continue this way if you will be a nurse if 5, 10, or 20 years? If the answer is no, something needs to change, either your specialty or how you handle things. Perhaps you take a break from oncology, it will be there in a few years if you feel you want to return. Dealing with life and death is tough emotionally. Things don't make sense. Each one of us needs to examine our thoughts and feelings about death. I have seen comatose people slip gently into death, and others who have appear to be fighting with death, away from death. These things are beyond our control, and with time, it does get easier. And then you get the patient in which some part of you becomes emotionally attached and it's hard all over again. It's a never ending process to be able to manage your emotions. But the gift you retain is the realization that we should never take a moment of life's gift of time for granted.

If you plan to go LPN first, make sure you check out jobs that will be available to you, and if you would like those jobs. In my part of the country, LPN's can find work in nursing homes (some of which are switching to all RN's) home care and doctor's office. Hospitals won't hire an LPN. Also, last I knew, some states (NY being one of them) you can become an LPN along the way in an RN program. Good luck in your decision.

Professional butt wiper. Ok here's a more serious one..... Challenging. Rewarding. Tiring.

Beyond the visions for the patients, I have felt a definite presence in the room with me as the patients pass. Of course, I have to check the pulse technically, but the feeling which I can't describe otherwise has never steered me wrong.

Nurse Ratched, Thanks for that link, it's a nice for pt. education. Becky

Well at least they "x" out the names, our hospital publishes unit specific surveys with the names of nurses in Docs right in there. This is my first year at the hospital, and I was a little surprised about that.

I worked full time nights while I was nursing school, took off the last two months and worked PRN. My week was Monday thru Thurs nursing school, into work thurs-sat night. Stay up all day sunday to flip my schedule. Not recommended, but now I have my RN, its all worth it!!