Surgical Oncology Vs Bone Marrow Transplant

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Specializes in Oncology.

Hi y'all, I am a new nurse grad.  I just took my NCLEX today, boy o boy, I have a headache in a half.  I have been offered two jobs contingent on me passing the NCLEX at two different hospitals in Florida where I live.  I do not know which one would be best for me and I am torn between the two and need some help. 

I am a 50 year old new nurse, breast cancer survivor.  I have been offered a position in Bone Marrow Transplant nights with occasional floating to surgical/medical oncology when BMT is slow.  I have also been offered a job at a different hospital for Surgical Oncology only, specializing in Solid tumors, DIEP, HIPEC, ENT, GI, Head/neck surgeries also at night 7 pm to 7 am.  The BMT position is total care, no techs.  The Surgical Oncology has a techs to help out.  I just want to make sure I am not going to make myself sick working on a floor that is to complicated for me, but I also want to help as many oncology patients as I can and give back like my oncology nurses did for me.  Which of the two oncology specialties would be best for a night shifter, 50 year old, new nurse? Thank you guys ?  Terri

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Specializes in Oncology, ID, Hepatology, Occy Health.

Nobody can decide for you as we all have our preferences. For me I'd say BMT since I'm more medically than surgically orientated, but that might not be the best choice for you.

Reflect on the placements you did in your training and ask yourself what you enjoyed  more: the medical specialities or the surgical specialities?  Do the good old pros and cons list on paper.

Are you thinking that you'd like to get both medical and surgical experience as an RN? In which case it doesn't really matter which one you start off with.

If both clinical areas really interest you equally then make your decision on other factors such as salary, travelling time, reputation of the facility etc.   

Whichever you decide, good luck! 

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Specializes in Oncology.

Thank you David ?

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Specializes in Haematology Oncology.

Hi there, congrats on the NCLEX results, I also passed the NCLEX RN on Jan 19! I have to irked as an RN in BMT since 2001 but due to moving from Ireland and UK to Canada I was unable to practice for the near 6 year process. I love working in BMT and because of that bias I would recommend BMT. I have worked in busy units but have always found the patients and relatives/families to be amazing to work with as well as having very tight knit supportive colleagues, lots of laughs together even on the busy tough days. I have no idea what the work atmosphere in Ontario is like.

Good luck in whatever you decide. Go with your gut feeling....

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