Senior practicum in oncology unit

[Wendy_z]

hello

I got placed in medical oncology unit for my senior practicum. I'm worry because I'm not sure what hands-on care experience I can have as a nursing student in oncology unit. As per my understanding, nursing students are not allowed to administer chemo drugs or any meds since the most of cancer patient care requires nurse with special certificates or training. So, I like to hear from you guys who also had practicum in oncology unit or nurse who work in oncology unit. Is there any hands-on care I can do as a nursing students in this floor?

Thank you

[MyAimIsTrue, BSN]

I requested that my preceptorship be in oncology and am now finishing up there. Oncology is med/surg, just with an additional interesting layer. No, I'm not allowed to administer chemo or hang blood, but I administer other meds, hang TPN (with preceptor), flush IVs, ports, and PICC lines, push IV meds, assess and chart, do admissions and discharges, etc. So most of the normal nursing stuff. I've not yet had the opportunity to place an IV or Foley, but have had some experience with chest tubes and NG tubes. It's a fast pace with lots of learning and hands-on tasks available to me. I will be sad when it ends!

[Nimrodel, BSN, RN]

Hi! I am about halfway through my oncology preceptorship. I’d say the biggest way it affects my learning (when contrasted with med-surg) is just there are some things I don’t get much exposure to...like I’ve had zero IV starts, and out of 30 patients, only one peripheral IV. This means that I don’t get to draw blood, I don’t get insertions, I can’t hook a lot of things up (we’re not allowed to directly handle central lines). And I see zero trauma. But you get a lot of other stuff! I’ve hung (w preceptor) a lot of blood, I’ve had TPN, I’ve had NG tubes...lots of DM. Yeah, I’m not allowed to do ANYTHING with chemo but I can do all the normal med passes, which don’t require any special certs. All the daily care stuff I do (we don’t have techs, either). A lot of it will depend on your school/institution but I feel relatively confident saying that being on oncology will not prohibit you having a good preceptorship/practicum.

[fyrephish, ADN, RN]

I'm on an oncology unit this semester. We've had a huge variety of experiences. We do pass quite a few meds as some patients have symptom management of comorbidities and side effects from chemo. We can't access piccs or ports, but we've cared for patients with NG tubes, drains, large unstageable pressure injuries, hospice patients, straight caths, and done post mortem care. The list goes on and I find it to be a rich learning environment. I was apprehensive when I found out I was being assigned to oncology, but I have found this semester my most rewarding so far. Oncology patients are a little different than your average med-surg. Sometimes they come in with no prior health issues. Many are very grateful and some are emotionally fragile (understandably!). I've so enjoyed my experience I am strongly considering following a career track in oncology and possibly infusion or palliative.