Kiplin

I have been working for about a year and a half as an RN on a med/surg floor but have just accepted a full time position in an outpatient oncology center! I have basically no experience with oncology nursing however. What resources have other oncology nurses used/heard of that would be helpful for me to use as a resource as I make my transition into this field of nursing?? Thanks!!

Thanks for your post! I have been a nurse for a little over a year now, working rotating and/or night shifts. I have struggled with feeling tired ever since high school, (not anemic, thyroid levels are normal) and now that I am working 12-hour off shifts it is only getting worse. I was athletic in high school and over the last year or two tried to go the thy gym 3 days a week with my husband, but our schedules only seem to get crazier and its so easy to give in and say "lets just go home and eat dinner" instead of doing a full, effective workout. Despite attempting to "routinely" go to the gym together, I realized I was slowly but steadily gaining weight. I have very little-self motivation and I realized I needed more accountability so I payed the money for a personal trainer at the gym. It "forced" me to go the the gym regularly 3 days a week whether I wanted to or not. We decided on me meeting with the trainer at 8 am MWF because I could do that time regardless of if I worked or not (since my schedule rotates weekly). I am NOT a morning person so it was rough. Rough waking up on my day off and rough going in after working 12 hours. But I would always feel better afterwards. We started at the beginning - proper body mechanics and how to properly and safely use the machines as well as free weights and how to progress through them. He discussed the importance (for everyone, but definitely nurses) to have a strong core and use proper body mechanics when moving/lifting, etc. I know not everyone can afford this, but I have been fortunate enough that I was able to and I really need an extra push because I am one who would just stress about it while I sat on the cough watching TV and not actually DO anything about it lol! I knew what I had to do to get me over this hump. Now I really need to focus on my eating. I have seen articles online about counting macros instead of just calorie counting and how that provides your body with properly proportioned nutrition, but that seems so overwhelming to me. For someone who doesn't really cook much (it's just my husband and I) I have no idea where to start. Additionally, I struggle in general with eating during work. Again, we don't cook often (and if we do we typically don't have left overs) so I always have to scrounge up miscellaneous things to take (part of a sub, a yogurt cup, beef jerky, granola bar or Belvita, cheese stick...etc.). Like many of the other commenters posted, I would really love to see the meal plan you used! It is encouraging to see that there are other nurses out there who have learned how to have a healthy lifestyle and work as a full-time night shift nurse at the same time! I have realized that what I am doing is not healthy for me and, while I may be able to do this now, I will not be able to continue this schedule/lifestyle for long. I want to change my lifestyle to a healthier one NOW while I am still young and able to make these changes and have a positive outcome for my body. Also, we need to be at our best to be able to care for our patients!! I am surprised how little help/benefits hospitals (at least local to me) offer their staff. An on-site gym and round-the clock cafeteria with healthy options would be amazing. I've also heard of some places giving bonuses for reaching "x" amount of steps taken during the week, etc. I know there are so many, many others out there struggling with the same issues, thanks for the encouragement!!

I am an RN with 1 year experience in med/surg. I know med/surg is great for experience, but I really want to get out of the hospital setting so I have a regular sleep schedule. I have just interviewed for an awesome-sounding position in outpatient oncology! I am excited for the opportunity, but the nurses must start IV's on patients as well as draw their own labs. We don't practice IV's in school (except 20 minutes with a fake arm) and the only experience I could get from my current hospital is 4 hours in the ED. My background pre-nursing is vet tech, so I have experience there drawing blood and placing IV catheters on a daily basis. The part I'm worried about is being able to find IV's on humans. I've read many many threads on this website, all the tips such as taking your time, dangling the arm, warm compress, straightening the arm, pumping the fist, looking at both arms, sounding confident even if I'm not...etc. My last several attempts I've done all these things but after two tries, I've had to ask someone else to put my IV in for me I know I have IV skills, but I need human experience! I've tried the options my hospital will offer me, I take all the opportunities I can on the floor, and my parents and in-laws both offered their arms as guinea pigs so I will be working with them this weekend (my mom and mother-in-law are both career nurses, so they understand), but I feel like I need more one-on-one instruction and more consistent practice. I would really love to find a phlebotomy course to attend. I don't need the certification that takes several months with multiple classes, I want something that will help with my skills now - I want to present in my second interview at the oncology center that I am working to improve my IV skills so I am more desirable and am able to do well if they end up offering me the position. I am looking for something in south-central PA or MD. I am not finding many options that aren't entire certification programs. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!!!