Why oncology?

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2013

I was assigned to oncology. I never wanted to work oncology in school and had no interest until I was probably about a year into working the floor. I worked oncology for nearly 2 years before being reassigned.

tokebi · Sep 13, 2013

I've had family members with cancer as well but I don't think that affected my choice of specialty. It was mainly the fascination with the disease process and treatment modalities that drew me into it. I found critical care fascinating as well, but I felt that I wouldn't be able to deal well with so much futility that you see in ICUs. Oncology is more in tune with palliative care and hospice care, in my opinion, which is another of my great interest, coming from LTC background.

There is so much to learn in oncology (beyond what nursing school teaches you), which keeps my intellectual curiosity more than satisfied! At the same time, I also get plenty chance to ease people into their end-of-life stage, which is very important to me as well.

I admit oncology nursing is exhausting -- intellectually and emotionally -- but I'm glad you're interested in the specialty, and I wish you luck!

brithoover · Sep 13, 2013

I love the challenge and the vast amount of knowledge there is to know. I love the palliative care aspect of oncology. I love the critical care aspect of oncology. I work in peds onc and let me tell you..you can be talking with a kid one second and then they are in septic shock. Keeps you on your toes!

jojo111 · Sep 14, 2013

So....when I started nursing school, I thought I wanted to work in Oncology (ovarian cancer survivor myself), or in the Operating Room (where I could use my Healing Touch & Reiki skills during surgeries). After learning a little more about the specifics of these specialties, and doing clinicals in other areas, these two were the last places I wanted to be.

Then reality comes along. I MUST get a job, and in my chosen areas of L&D or ICU -- no offers. I did get offers for Periop & Oncology (ironic, eh?)! It was a difficult choice, because both hospitals have excellent reputations and there were huge plusses and minuses either way -- but I ended up choosing Oncology, hopefully for all the right reasons.

Reading the advice and wisdom posted on this website helped me immensely in the decision-making process, and I really appreciate everyone sharing.

Tmari1 · Oct 24, 2013

The entire reason I went to nursing school is because I wanted to become a pediatric oncology nurse. I am not yet one, but am striving to get hired. It is hard to get a job at St. Jude, my dream job. I can, however, tell you why I have chosen oncology. My introduction to oncology occurred at 16y.o. when my friend was diagnosed with a Stage IV GBM and treated at St. Jude. He lost his fight after a hard 3 year battle. With my interest sparked, I then began to obsess over oncology. I am fascinated with the disease process of all the various types of cancer. My particular interest of brain tumors led to my border-line obsession. In my own time, I've studied, watched videos, learned, understood a vast amount of knowledge related to various types of brain tumors. As you can imagine, GBM is my particular interest. It captivates me. I've even found myself watching video after video of GBM resections and debulking. In addition, with all my volunteer efforts at St. Jude, I've fallen in love with the children I've known. Pediatric oncology patients are so incredibly wise and strong and they just melt my heart. I love to play and interact with them and do anything I can to make them feel better. When I had my clinical rotation at St. Jude during nursing school, the nursing role in pediatric oncology just felt at home. To say I have a passion for this career is an understatement. I want to be active in both patient care and research, which is why I plan to continue my education. Anyways, I hope this helps!

Kipahni, RN · Oct 31, 2013

Oncology is a fascinating disease process. The treatments are always changing and you must always stay educated but best of all the patients really are the best ones to take care of. Every once in awhile you will get a grumpy hateful (and who could blame them?) one but for the most part they are just grateful for being alive. And show it to you. You get to know the family's and cheer and rejoice with the success and cry with them over the loss. You treat the family as much as you treat the patient. And because you spend such consistent time with them when they do get better they come back and let you know. A lot of other specialties you don't get that kind of closure.

I agree with the previous poster that at times it is emotionally and intellectually draining but it is very rewarding. I eventually had to transfer out of oncology as after getting cancer myself I just couldn't handle my own anxiety after taking care of a patient that had diagnosis like mine and not surviving like I had.

OliviaJames · Nov 1, 2013

Cancer seems to unfortunately "run" in my family so I wanted to have a better understanding of it.

Manal Al Humaid · Nov 1, 2013

Surprisingly i was just thinking about this topic a few minutes ago. I chose Oncology because it has a huge learning opportunity where you have to keep yourself up to date with disease process, medical/nursing management and treatment modalities. Another interesting reason which is my conservative community considers cancer as a " taboo".

Kipahni, RN · Nov 8, 2013

Another interesting reason which is my conservative community considers cancer as a " taboo".

Why would cancer be taboo?

Manal- I am assuming you are middle eastern ( I only say that because my sister in law is named manal and she is from Egypt)

Is it because some of the screening is considered inappropriate or shameful? (mammograms, cervical paps? ect)