VNA vs Outpatient oncology

[jj16, BSN]

I spent my first 15 months as a nurse on a very busy IMCU in a level 1 trauma center in Boston. I graduated in the height of COVID and our floor was 99% COVID through my entire orientation. Once it switched back to a mix of patients I was on my own  and our floor was a mess of nurses leaving constantly - prob the same everywhere but was tough while trying to learn with very sick patients. I left because I wasn’t sleeping at night and I took a job as a pre/post nurse in an outpatient surgery center. The hours are wonderful, wonderful coworkers, amazing supportive manager - super busy but low stress. I’ve been there for 9 months and will stay there forever in some capacity even if per diem because it’s just a wonderful place to work. That said, I miss caring for “sick patients”. I miss really looking at a patient and helping formulate a plan of care and comforting patients who are sick. Maybe that sounds weird, but I miss it. I’ve realized my biggest strengths are patient education (I’m a 2nd degree former teacher so I think maybe that helps), compassionate care/bedside manner and attention to detail - I’m also really good at caring for patients others have deemed “difficult”.  I have small children and a husband who works overnights so outpatient or a flexible schedule appeals to me.  I think that I would love outpatient oncology as (at least how I envision it), I could get to know my patients, spend time with them, provide education and compassionate care and use my assessment and nursing skills. I also think that working as a VNA nurse might allow me to schedule my days to meet the needs of my family while also being able to care for the needs of the entire patient - navigating the challenges that they face in their environment.  I def think there would be a great deal of patient education, compassionate care and assessing/skills. This is so long but my bottom line is I don’t want to look like an unstable employee jumping from specialty to specialty and before I apply to either of these positions, I’m hoping to hear from someone who has done either and tell me what you love and don’t love - maybe even someone who has done both and can compare!  Thank you lovely nurses for any advice ❤️