Want advice from experienced oncology RNs

[julgard]

I will graduate later this month and I have an interest in oncology with no oncology experience. I've been reading different posts and it seems to vary as to whether an oncology unit will hire a new grad. I would like some advice from an experienced oncology nurse. Do you think oncology units should hire new grads? Do you think a new grad would benefit from being on a med/surg floor first?

I know some nurses tell me you should aim for a job in the department you want to work and they will train you, but right now, I am not finding openings in oncology that I can apply for.

Any thoughts shared would be appreciated. Thanks.

[NelletheNurse, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP]

I am a new grad who just accepted a position in outpatient oncology. They have a really good training program for new grads, and they won't let you touch chemo until you're really solid with everything else.

I can't speak to what it's like working in onc yet, but I would agree that having a good training program is key.

Yes! Orientation is key! Good luck!

[Nursegolightly8]

Yes! I'm a new grad and am starting in Oncology. We have surgical and chemo pts and I'll be enrolled in a New Nurse graduate residency program (along with all of the other new grad nurses) at my hospital. I've always wanted to be an Oncology nurse (I've been on the other side with family members as pts) and I think my enthusiasm impressed them at the interview.

The important thing is to find a hospital/unit which is supportive to new grads. Another helpful thing is to look for hospitals which are participating in the AACN New Nurse Residency programs. They're all across the country and usually follow a specific protocol for transitioning new grads into practice.

Good luck!

[whatsmyusername_RN]

Like a lot of posters have said, you may benefit from working on a med/surg floor first before going into oncology, as you'll learn to manage time efficiently and hone on your critical thinking skills. A lot of cancer patients have multiple comorbidities and having a strong foundation in med/surg can help a lot. However, if your dream is to be an oncology nurse, then just skip the med/surg unit and go ahead and do oncology since you'll learn the med/surg stuff as you are working on oncology. If there are no openings for oncology, then doing med/surg for a while and getting some experience under your belt and transfer to oncology when there are openings is a good option.

Right now I'm on medical/oncology where I'm mostly on the medical side doing medical stuff. Occasionally I get to be on the oncology side and get to take care of cancer patients without hanging chemo. I enjoy medical a lot and am learning new things everyday, but I eventually would like to specialize in oncology. On my unit, nurses who are interested in doing oncology could hang chemo after 9 months of working (according to what my clinical coordinator told me during my interview) but one of my coworkers started hanging chemo after 6 or 7 months of working. I'm hoping to get my chemo/biotherapy provider card within the next couple of months, and then hopefully get to hang chemo before my year is up. I already talked to one of my clinical coordinators about my interest in doing oncology and she is happy about it.

[willbern2015]

I am a new graduate nurse, and will be starting in an outpatient Oncology clinic, after I pass NCLEX (this Thursday :/). The position was posted with a minimum of two years experience in Oncology nursing, or acute care. I have the opportunity to do my preceptorship on this unit, and the staff really liked my work ethic and personality. I have known since I began my schooling that oncology is where I wanted to be, and am elated that my dream is coming true! Now I am just nervous to take boards, and begin my career as an Oncology RN :)

[thenightnurse456]

I believe everyone can benefit from med-surg but if the opportunity is available and you're passionate about the field, I say go for it!

I've worked oncology and it's a very intense specialty and patients can crash very quickly. But you'll receive a proper orientation I'm sure.

[sbugzmom]

I am a new graduate nurse, and will be starting in an outpatient Oncology clinic, after I pass NCLEX (this Thursday :/). The position was posted with a minimum of two years experience in Oncology nursing, or acute care. I have the opportunity to do my preceptorship on this unit, and the staff really liked my work ethic and personality. I have known since I began my schooling that oncology is where I wanted to be, and am elated that my dream is coming true! Now I am just nervous to take boards, and begin my career as an Oncology RN :)

You can do it - I went straight into outpatient heme/onc as a new grad & I love it. There's a steep learning curve, for sure, but when I look back to where I was my 1st day vs. now at 8 months in & I am really proud of how far I've come. There are lots of great resources. I found the ONS Chemo Basics to be helpful as a supplement to my on-the-job training.