Working at a Cancer Center?

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I accepted a position at a cancer center on the rad/onc side of things. I have been working there for 7 months and am trying to decide if I want to stay. My previous background is in med-surg/ortho so a lot of what I am doing has been learned on the job. I am already feeling burned out - I am the only nurse in the department although there are nurses in the med/onc dept. I have little back up and that combined with the depth of the pts diagnosis is draining me. Initially I was drawn to it because of hte pts. but now I feel as if I cannot handle it all. Plus I am feeling resentful of the chemo nurses (no fault of their own, they are outstanding ), they have a much more serene work load. I don't know if all cancer centers are run this way or if I am in the wrong field. Anyone out there work in a cancer center? How is it run? What does the rad/onc nurse position entail elsewhere?

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Specializes in Oncology.

I work in a small outpatient cancer center on the chemo side. We only have one RN on the Radiation side also. I'm not really sure what her job description is supposed to be because we start their IVs and give blood, etc... if needed. As far as it being draining that's pretty much the same on the chemo side because we share several pts with them. I think it's sometimes very stressful because you can get attached to the pts and their families since you see them for weeks, months, etc... Maybe you could stay there until you could transfer to the chemo side.

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I think trying out the chemo side is a great idea...one that I have considered. At least I could work with other nurses and there is a lot to be said for commaraderie when the going gets tough. Also, the chemo team is outstanding with an especialy wonderful chemo mentor! Thanks for your reply.

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I also work in radiation oncology in an outpatient setting of the hospital. I have been there 21 months. I think I am probably feeling the same way you are. I am the only nurse for 2 doctors, and I have no coverage when I am out. We treat about 25 patients daily. I do all the labwork, IV hydration, assist the MD's in surgery with the HDR cases, do all drsg. changes and any wound care. I give Ethyol injections, do all precerts, take all nurse calls, put all patients in the exam room for MD's, help with CT's of the new patients. And worst of all, I have to cover for our secretary when she is out, and still keep my part of the job done. I was recently certified in oncology and don't feel like I am using my certification, or at least I don't feel like they really care that I even got the certification. I don't have time for patient education, and that is what I would love to do. I love the hours, 8 - 4:30, M-F, but some days I have to work over when the HDR cases aren't done. But I can't get any overtime, so I have to take the hours back on another day. They just expect me to stay when they want to do something late. I have thought about the chemo side also. I don't want to regret changing jobs though. Does anybody else feel this way?

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SandyRN,

Jeez, I feel pretty wimpy after hearing of your experience in rad-onc and yes, the lack of any back up nurse is really difficult. I will be transferring to chemo in 2 weeks and I can't wait. I'm sure it will still be busy but having support from fellow nurses is huge. And if I don' t like that, I'll try something else...maybe finding a niche somewhere.... :monkeydance:

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Hey, let me know how the chemo is. Are they going to pay you any more for doing chemo? I was just wondering if chemo nurses made any more money. I would like the support of other nurses too. My manager is a Radiation Therapist, and I don't feel he really understands all that the nurse does, or needs to do. I say that because I would love to do more, like the education, but I just can't find the time to do it. Good luck to you!

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That does sound very stressfull. I have been very interested in being an oncology nurse, but it sounds as if there is as many demands on the nurses there as in a hospital. I dont know. I guess there is no such thing as a low stress level job if you are a nurse.:nurse:

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I work in an outpatient chemo infusion center that is part of a major NYC hospital. We don't make any more money than any other nurse. In fact, I switched jobs from inpatient to outpatient and it was considered a "lateral move." Not a promotion or anything like that. It's just another kind of nursing out of many, many kinds.

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I will make more money once I am chemo certifired but not sure how much more,. I need to do some research into that to determine what to ask for. As far as stress goes compared to hospital nursing, it is not usually as bad as floor nursing. I may be extremely busy but not in a harried state like on the floor. The pace is slower but still busy. The patients are MUCH more tolerant and so grateful fro everything done for them. I do have time to make a difference and that makes stress easier to deal with.:monkeydance:

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Responding to SandyRN26...You definately need another nurse in your office. I work in Rad Onc too, but we have FOUR RNs doing what you do. I do the same as you except we stopped doing the Ethyol(didn't see any change in the pt). We do treat approx 75-100 pts a day and have one MD on Mon and Fri, and three MDs Tues and WED and two MD on Thurs. I think your hospital needs to look at the National benchmark for this. I believe you could qualify for at least one or two more nurse not to mention an extra secretary.

Dang!, we complained we were over worked but now I feel bad seeing what you have to go through.

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