Why do you LOVE (or hate) Oncology Nursing?

[LouLay73]

Hey there! I am new to this site and have lurked for a while but wanted to finally post! I am 2 months away from graduating from a BSN program. I have always been drawn to the Oncology world and my preceptorship this semester is on the Oncology unit...which I am thrilled about! I have had a few days on the unit so far and totally love it. The nurses and staff are great. The patients and families are very appreciative. I know there will be bad days, but I hope some of those good days will make up for it. I have read some other posts on the gerenal forums where some new grads HATE their unit/job/etc. However, most everyone I have spoken with on my unit LOVE what they do. Tell me, what do you LOVE (or hate) about working in Oncology? I would really like to hear the positive aspects, but will take some bad things too. I just want to be somewhat prepared for what I might expect (even though I know Nursing is totally unpredictable). I will take any advice you care to share! :)

[mom4josh]

The thing I hate about our oncology unit is that we are not strictly oncology. We are also a medical floor, so we can get anything. And oftentimes, the nursing supervisor or bedboard does not respect our need for non-infectious patients (i.e., having neutropenic patients on the same floor as shingles or respiratory isolation).

The thing I love about our floor is getting to know the patients and their families and building a relationship. Sure, it's hard when there is a poor prognosis, but there are other times when you don't think the patient will recover (or at least not very long), and they do. It's a joy to seem them come back healthy and stronger than before.

Good luck in your new career. PM me if you have any questions or concerns.

[mykidzmom]

I have done many types of nursing and for the most part, oncology patients and their families have the most respect and appreciation for nurses of any other specialty I have worked in. The things that suck about oncology nursing are pretty much the things that suck about any kind of nursing. It's nice to have patients who respect your knowledge and your skill and learn very quickly that the stereotypes and misconceptions about nurses are miles away from the truth. They tend to be very devoted to "their" nurses and us to them. It is scary--there is so little wiggle room for error. But I wouldn't work with a different population for anything.