Why I love being an oncology nurse

[NurseKate16]

I was feeling emotional and was deep in thought one night at my son's football practice so I posted the following on facebook. I got quite a response so I thought I'd share my thoughts here too:-)

I hear a lot of questions/comments when people find out that I am a chemo nurse:

You choose to work with cancer patients..on purpose?” Are you crazy?” Isn't that kind of morbid?” I don't know how you do it.”

Instead of answering each question individually, I think I can sum up my feelings a bit better in my following paragraph:

Jean Watson (a famous nursing theorist), refers to The Caring Moment” in many of her works. This is defined as any interaction between nurse and patient during which each party feels a connection with the other at a spiritual level. I have found that since becoming an Oncology/Chemo nurse 1 year ago, I have had more and more of these moments. These moments are very meaningful and help reiterate in my mind that I chose the right profession when I decided to become a nurse. This last year has been the most emotionally trying time for me since entering the medical field 10 years ago. It has also been the most rewarding year of my career, BY FAR. The joy I feel when I get to watch a patient ring the bell at the end of their treatment and the satisfaction I get from being there for my patients during what can be their most vulnerable times eclipses the sad moments that I have experienced. However, those sad moments have their own meaning too. These moments help to remind me the importance of appreciating every minute of every day and remind me to live life to the absolute fullest. My patients have taught me things I could have never learned in nursing school. They've shown an indescribable level of strength and they have a more positive outlook on life than most people. Words cannot describe the awe I experience when I look at my patients, and the trials they've had to face. Yet, every day they show up for their treatments smiling. My chemo patients are the most incredible people I know. There's not really an easy way to say it...but my patients ROCK!

So when you ask me why I make a choice every day to go to work and spend my day giving chemo to cancer patients….that's why!

[KThurmond]

That was beautuful. Thanks for sharing.

[O9eleven]

Great post. I also receive responses like yours when family and friends find out I work with oncology patients. They seem to immediately feel sympathy for me but I'm quick to educate them on the many wonderful curative treatments available to our patients. I love being an oncology nurse and wouldn't change that for anything

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

This is why there are so many specialties and opportunities available to us. What is anathema to one is a life's work to another.

It's good when someone finds their niche. I get a lot of those same reactions when people find out I'm a Hospice nurse.

[Coolbeanz]

Hello. I know this is not a recent post but i wanted to let you know reading you has giving me a new outlook. I start oncology 2 weeks from now. I am a fairly new nurse. Anything else you can add about your experience will be appreciated. What your daily routine looks

like?

[Ashobe14]

Your post was beautiful! I am currently in nursing school and I plan to specialize in oncology when I graduate. I often get the same responses from people when I tell them that I want to be an oncology nurse. I believe that cancer patients are very inspiring because of their positive outlook on life even though many are going through the hardest times. Reading your discussion has made me very excited to get out into this field and I hope I can make as much of an impact on my patients that you did for yours. Thank you :)