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Discussion

Switching specialties?

Hi everyone, I am looking for some input!

I have recently accepted a RN position on a Hem/Onc floor. I hope to do some PICU/NICU in my career as well.

As a Hem/Onc nurse, do I have room for growth and transition into other specialities? Would you say that many skills are transferable? I have a desire to do so many different things and am worried that it will make it difficult for me to move to another specialty if I choose to eventually.

Also, for those that have worked the Hem/Onc setting, could you describe your experience a bit? I have never done this setting and would love to hear more about what it is like!

Thank you!

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    • Experts

    Hem/Onc patients are some of the sickest patients outside of critical care that you will ever find. I can't imagine you will be "stunted" by this experience. That being said, much of it is on you and your willingness to do the work to advance yourself.

    Also, if that happens to be your real name I would highly advise you change it. Pronto.

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    • Author
    50 minutes ago, Wuzzie said:

    Hem/Onc patients are some of the sickest patients outside of critical care that you will ever find. I can't imagine you will be "stunted" by this experience. That being said, much of it is on you and your willingness to do the work to advance yourself.

    Also, if that happens to be your real name I would highly advise you change it. Pronto.

    Thank you for your input!

    I agree that much is on me and my willingness to advance. In nursing school, I didn't get much (if not, any) experience with this population and I guess I am just not sure what to expect in this setting! I know in my heart that I will love it- as Oncology has always been something I have considered. I guess it is just the fear of not knowing for certain. I have such a desire to do so many things in this career, including going back for my FNP, and even with knowing how dynamic this profession is, I suppose I just am worried about potentially being inhibited ? But you are right... It is about MY willingness to advance. So thank you!

    Also, thank you. I finally figured out how to change it.

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    • Experts

    Trust me you'll be getting a great experience. It's like med-surg on steroids. You'll be exposed to all kinds of venous access, blood product admin (by the gallons), wound prevention/care, codes, RRTs, medications of all types, drains, tubes in various orifices, patients who go from stable to un-stable in 60 seconds, psych-social issues, complicated discharge planning, in-depth nursing assessments, I could go on and your personal growth just from being exposed to oncology will be priceless.

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    • Experts
    6 hours ago, Wuzzie said:

    Trust me you'll be getting a great experience. It's like med-surg on steroids. You'll be exposed to all kinds of venous access, blood product admin (by the gallons), wound prevention/care, codes, RRTs, medications of all types, drains, tubes in various orifices, patients who go from stable to un-stable in 60 seconds, psych-social issues, complicated discharge planning, in-depth nursing assessments, I could go on and your personal growth just from being exposed to oncology will be priceless.

    This is the perfect description of hem-onc. And I echo what Wuzzie said that your personal growth from the exposure alone will be priceless. I didn't get exposed to the hem-onc population until I switched to float pool 4 years ago, and even as a seasoned nurse with ICU background, it had a significant impact on my professional growth and development.

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    Heme/onc is a great experience, and I think Wuzzie describes it well. I did want to add that I worked with a few nurses who left adult for pediatric heme/onc and LOVE it, if you end up getting into pediatric care that route.

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    • Author
    13 minutes ago, Swellz said:

    Heme/onc is a great experience, and I think Wuzzie describes it well. I did want to add that I worked with a few nurses who left adult for pediatric heme/onc and LOVE it, if you end up getting into pediatric care that route.

    I have actually considered this and it was my original dream with nursing... pediatric oncology. Maybe there is a reason that I was lead to Oncology for my first RN job to lead me back to that path ?

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