plum94

I want your take on the recent oncology drug shortage we are experiencing now. Drugs like cytarabine, leucovorin, thiotepa, etoposide, bleomycin, doxorubicin, and cisplatin. During our last GI tumor board meeting, I heard about clinics in the midwest complaining about shortage of 5FU. Im concern about inadequate substitutions, inadequate alternatives and rationing. Its hard for me to explain to a patient that I can not give them X drug because they are not enrolled in a clinical trial or that they are not being treated adjuvantly. It distresses the patients and it worries me. Whats your take on this situation?

Im really interested in the use of medical marijuana specially for our oncology patients. NJ Governor Christie just signed the bill last Jan of 2011. Though there are still a lot of questions to be answered from production, distribution, dispensing and prescribing. I would love to put up my own dispensary.

Its the clinical trial NCT00112658. Combination Chemotherapy as First-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer first designed in 2005 and later updated last May of this year. We have used this regimen in a number of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, about 10 now in a period of 7 months. Regarding the sequence of the drug administration, We prefer to give the oxali plus the leucovorin together since its run at the same rate first then the Irinotecan , then the 5fu bolus and the 5FU infusion. But looking at the study outline of the ARM 1 its showed oxaliplatin IV over 2 hours, irinotecan IV over 1½ hours, leucovorin calcium IV over 2 hours, and fluorouracil IV over 5 minutes on day 1 and fluorouracil IV continuously over 46 hours. I think we need to review the latest update. Im quite optimistic with the outcome and is curious on the buzz its creating. I'm happy to read that people are talking about it. I'm really hopeful that this maybe the first line in treatment for pancreatic cancer patients. There is hope after all.

Never too late to take that big step Congratulations, you deserve it mine will be submitting a clinical abstract for the Spring ONS congress in PA i got 2 months to work on it cant help to procastinate

Congratulations :balloons: feels really nice writting the words bethchpn RN BSN OCN

GOOD LUCK!!! tom is the big day I bet you will pass with flying colors

www.amazon.com have it you can look at it online find out any institution around your area that offers ONS review classes...if not ONS have review classes every fall and spring during congress this fall its in Chicago...and spring next year is in Philadelphia...you can also attend the congress while youre there...I took my review class during last year's fall congress in Pittsburg...

Im really so sorry for your dilemna. Finding a new school is tough specially in the Philippines. A lot of the schools mass produce nurses. Sad to say there is no QC anymore. Im an alumni of UST. Im not in a position to say that its the best school for you but here is what I learned there...BE ASSERTIVE TO LEARN...it doesnt matter what school you graduated from, what matters is, that you have the desire to learn irregardless. By the way, Fundamentals of Nursing is really the basis of your whole nursing career...if you have failed the course on your 3rd try, you may want to consider another career path. Im sorry, Im not trying to be mean.

youre are right...you can get it from www.ons.org or at time Amazon.com good luck in your exams...

well, thats really good for wanting to learn what they said is true...those cert from Pi wont be accepted here, but the experience will benefit you in the future try your big local hospital if you are willing to spend, Philippine Heart Center et al have all those training courses good luck...and keep that positive attitude...

Hello I really do know have any idea what it is like working at Sloans. But I can tell you this...i love working in a comprehensive cancer center like MSK. The nursing education is endless, the clinical research is way beyond what you expect...INPATIENT?? uhmm not really keen on doing that...im just wondering, does MSK requires you to have a oncology experience? a OCN cert? I would look into that....i also would like to advice you to look at the outpatient facility MSK have....i remember i have submitted an application there are one point, but due to the commute I accepted a position at CINJ...they offer the same rates and benefits as MSK, guess they are also competetive

Im just curious....do you guys use a techoff cath for IP chemo or are you now using "mediports"? Im trying to look at FDA approving "mediport" for IP use? Have you heared/read of anything about this? I want to know your general practice in IP chemo administration Thanks

It depends...i work in an outpatient/ambulatory setting...its not depressing as people think...if you are working inpatient, well thats different...we are a comprehensive cancer center and we do clinical research, thats challenge for me...

I dont know I feel that you should have a solid backround in medical/surgical nursing to be a good oncology nurse irregardless of subspecialty you want.

I just took my ONC test today...and Im happy that I passed...anyone planning to take the test? I would advice to obtain a copy of the Core Curriculum book...the study guide was most helpful...dont be discourage you may not get all the answers right...just keep on answering and look back to the reference book why your answers were wrong, that would guide you...the experience plus a the book made me pass Good Luck to everybody planning to take that test

deat paula, thanks for the davice...i do met the requirements...and i will be filling for my application next week...i just bought the 3rd edition of the Core Curriculum book...the bluprints for the oct test is base there...i have been trying to get the study guide aswell but i couldnt get in in amazons...anyway, i bought the 4th edition study guide anyway... i also took my review classes in Cancer Institute of New Jersey and it was indeed helpful...im planning to another review class next month...good luck with the test!!!

thanks for the advice...well i just hope that i too will pass on my first try...im just confident to take the exams just because its reference base and not practice base as compared to med-surg board cert...i really do appreciate the advice...and you are definetely right...go with your first instinct...

Im happy for you...congratulations...remember, always keep on learing...doesnt mean that on you have passed the board everything is A-OK...its just a start...welcome to the club... UOTE=dlhommer]I can not believe it I actually passed!!!!!!!!holy crap!!!!!!! It is going to be a great day. thanks to everyone for the supportive comments and good luck to everyone waiting for results and to take the NCLEX! just keep faith! :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: Whhhhhhhhhhhhhhoooooooooo! Deb, RN

funny...i take the bus when i was in nursing school...would you believe I now drive a Land Rover Discovery brand new year 2004 only after 1 year of working as a RN...oh by they I car pool during that 1 year

I heard from our staff development that our hospital is expecting 50 nurses from London and 30 nurses from Israel this summer. It's surprising because our hospital has been recruiting nurses from Asia mainly the Philippines for years but unfortunately, alot of these new recruits have breeched their contracts and or have difficulty adjusting to the work situation here. I know a new recruit who just stayed for 2 months and left without telling anybodyl. Its sad. I just hope that nurses from the Phillipines applied here to work because they want to improve their skills as a nurse not because they want that green card. Dont get me wrong...i too wanted that green card, but then im grateful that my hospital has sent me for further training...training that i didnt get when i was back home or from the other country i worked before...here learing is endless...irregardless of how old you are...anyway, good luck to everyone on their journey...all the best...

thats interesting...when i was reading the visa bulletin, i have this perception that the unfilled quota for the fiscal 2001-2004 will be given to those visas that was pending prior to the tentative closing last year...so i would assume that those 50,000 will be give to the nurses who were witheld...this doesnt guarantee new applicants or those possibly who applied later this year...this quota is kindda tricky...anyway, i hope things will be better for deserving nurse applicant who wants a better opportunity to enhance their craft as nurses not just to get a green card and earn $...good luck!!!

i will be taking my ONC come fall...i just want some feedback/advice from those who have passed their ON certication. I dont have that much exposure to oncology nursing but then im going to try to take the exams and hopefully pass. want to know questions that were asked...if experience counts alot when taking the exams even if they say its reference based test...i want some advice re the test thank you joycep

email is not a bad manner...if you want to ask more questions you can phone them too

\ they may have expanded their assistance from the last time i checked. that was 3 yrs ago...the specialize in travel nursing assignments...i would be more confident if i apply to the hospitals themselves or a healthcare system...they are agency...the supply nurses to hospitals...the thing is...the hospitals nowadays are wiser...instead of getting nurses from agency (the cost too much) they prefer their own staff to work OTs...you really get pay alot when you belong to an agency...the thing is that the benefits like insurance, in service education wont be free compared to working full time in the hospitals...did u ask procare if they will sponsor you? ask them what will be your contract if they are your sponsor? uhmm but they may look for a sponsor for you, 8its not necessarily they will be our sponsor...thats another thing...tell me, are you really interested in looking for an agency? have you heard about the quota being filled up already for this year? have you passed any test at all? like TSE/TOEFL, NCLEX?

so are you here now?