What to expect? Oncology PCU

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Hey everyone!

I was offered a position in an oncology PCU nights as a new graduate. The patient/nurse ratio is 5:1 and there is 11 weeks of training with both classroom and preceptorship. What should I expect from this type of floor? Any information you can provide would be really appreciated!

Thanks!

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If it's a true oncology progressive care unit your patient/nurse ratio should not be 5:1. This is something that I would clarify with your manager.

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It's definitely 5:1 and a true oncology PCU. I think the reason the patient load is so high is because the floor has techs?? I'm not sure.

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1:5 in PCU is crazy, let alone oncology.

Expect a tonne of iv antibiotics, blood product transfusions and infusions. PICCS, POCS, CVADS. A lot of isolation patients.

Patients can go south very fast in Onc, combine that with a PCU level floor? It's gonna be intense.

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That's pretty unnerving to hear. Do you think 11 weeks is sufficient training?

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That's pretty unnerving to hear. Do you think 11 weeks is sufficient training?

Not for a true progressive care unit. Progressive care is equivalent to a step down unit. My hospital provides 6 months of orientation in ICU's and 4 months in PCU's.

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1:5 in PCU is crazy, let alone oncology.

Expect a tonne of iv antibiotics, blood product transfusions and infusions. PICCS, POCS, CVADS. A lot of isolation patients.

Patients can go south very fast in Onc, combine that with a PCU level floor? It's gonna be intense.

THIS! OP, regardless of whether or not you have tech's, the tech's can't manage the nursing and medical aspects of your patients, that is all on you. I'm sorry, but that patient/nurse ratio is not safe for a true PCU. Couple that with the fact that you are a new grad and this is going to be a very challenging first nursing job.

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Thanks for all your feedback

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That's pretty unnerving to hear. Do you think 11 weeks is sufficient training?

I didn't want to scare you at all, I just wanted to let you know what it's going to be like.

Good luck with everything.

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That is a scary patient to nurse ratio, especially for PCU. Our PCU is 2:1/3:1 depending on acuity and normally 4:1 on Med/Onc units. I also think 11 weeks is not enough. They are obviously sick enough to be PCU.

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OP did you take the position? That ratio is scary for a PCU especially ONC.

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Yes, I start in July

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