To All Oncology Nurses

[Bekahlynn]

I am not an oncology nurse, nor do I plan to be one when I graduate. But several special oncology nurses in two hospitals helped me decide what I wanted to do with my life. My older sister passed away from leukemia three years ago, a year and a half after being dx. during this time there were ups and downs. remission, long stays in the hospital, outpatient chemo, etc. These nurses gave the most incredible care not only to my sister, but also to our family. My sister's husband and daughter became very close to these folks, as did my mother, who also spent vast amounts of time at the hospital. The professionalism, caring, concern, and sweet attitudes that they demonstrated continue to amaze me. My sister used to always say that when she got better she was going to go back to school to be an oncology nurse so that she could help others in the way that you nurses had helped her. A group of three women appeared at her calling, two in scrubs. I asked them if they had been her nurses. I proceeded to hug them all and thank them for the wonderful care they gave my sister. They cried right along with our family and friends. I cannot wait to be a nurse (one more year), but I do not feel that I am "special" enough to be an oncology nurse. I am new to this site, and wanted to tell you all how special you folks truly are. Many thank you's from the bottom of my heart. :)

Bekahlynn

[leslie :-D]

I am not an oncology nurse, nor do I plan to be one when I graduate. But several special oncology nurses in two hospitals helped me decide what I wanted to do with my life. My older sister passed away from leukemia three years ago, a year and a half after being dx. during this time there were ups and downs. remission, long stays in the hospital, outpatient chemo, etc. These nurses gave the most incredible care not only to my sister, but also to our family. My sister's husband and daughter became very close to these folks, as did my mother, who also spent vast amounts of time at the hospital. The professionalism, caring, concern, and sweet attitudes that they demonstrated continue to amaze me. My sister used to always say that when she got better she was going to go back to school to be an oncology nurse so that she could help others in the way that you nurses had helped her. A group of three women appeared at her calling, two in scrubs. I asked them if they had been her nurses. I proceeded to hug them all and thank them for the wonderful care they gave my sister. They cried right along with our family and friends. I cannot wait to be a nurse (one more year), but I do not feel that I am "special" enough to be an oncology nurse. I am new to this site, and wanted to tell you all how special you folks truly are. Many thank you's from the bottom of my heart. :)

Bekahlynn

dearest bekahlynn,

i do not know why you don't feel that you are 'special' enough to be an oncology nurse but i would so strongly encourage you to pursue this specialty. as touched as you were by the wonderful care your sister received, you also, can be one of those nurses that touches others lives; not by the technical skills but by your personal experience in living and loving someone through their cancer and by your apparent sensitivity.

and i feel, from the bottom of my heart, that you will be a truly wonderful oncology nurse, or whatever specialty you choose to pursue.

with warmest wishes,

leslie

[Kristin G]

I am not an oncology nurse, nor do I plan to be one when I graduate. But several special oncology nurses in two hospitals helped me decide what I wanted to do with my life. My older sister passed away from leukemia three years ago, a year and a half after being dx. during this time there were ups and downs. remission, long stays in the hospital, outpatient chemo, etc. These nurses gave the most incredible care not only to my sister, but also to our family. My sister's husband and daughter became very close to these folks, as did my mother, who also spent vast amounts of time at the hospital. The professionalism, caring, concern, and sweet attitudes that they demonstrated continue to amaze me. My sister used to always say that when she got better she was going to go back to school to be an oncology nurse so that she could help others in the way that you nurses had helped her. A group of three women appeared at her calling, two in scrubs. I asked them if they had been her nurses. I proceeded to hug them all and thank them for the wonderful care they gave my sister. They cried right along with our family and friends. I cannot wait to be a nurse (one more year), but I do not feel that I am "special" enough to be an oncology nurse. I am new to this site, and wanted to tell you all how special you folks truly are. Many thank you's from the bottom of my heart. :)

Bekahlynn

Hi Behahylnn;

I have a similiar story...After spending ten years caring for my dad who had lymphoma I was so inspired by these wonderful professionals that I decided to go to nursing school myself. I recently graduated and after much thought have taken a job at the same hospital on the same oncology floor.

Personally I think oncology nursing is a special calling but feel that all nurses everywhere are special people!

Kristin

[Ted]

. . . I cannot wait to be a nurse (one more year), but I do not feel that I am "special" enough to be an oncology nurse. I am new to this site, and wanted to tell you all how special you folks truly are. Many thank you's from the bottom of my heart. :)

Bekahlynn

If not now, maybe later. But I sense that you would make a WONDERFUL oncology nurse if you ever hold interest in this specialty. :)

Thank you for sharing your story. Warm regards and wishing you the best of luck in your last year of nursing! :)

Ted