I love being there for patients in the most difficult moments of their life. The biggest challenge about oncology is handling it emotionally. My goal is to be supportive of patients throughout their journey.
K: Oncology nursing has taught me to not sweat the small stuff. I have learned to always look three steps ahead of what can happen during treatment day, and in life in general. I have also learned to be prepared for anything, always smile and be happy. A patient's day starts with you and a caring, happy, smiling nurse can really make a difference.
M: Being an oncology nurse has taught me to live every day to the fullest because you never know what tomorrow holds. K: Stay positive -- attitude is key. I tell my patients to be informed and don't be afraid to ask your healthcare team questions. It is also good to have a sense of humor, eat healthy, stay hydrated and exercise. In addition, take advantage of programs by our social workers and events in the community.
Don't try to do it all yourself. Discover cancer support services at Edward-Elmhurst Health. Read More. I knew this was my calling. Erin T. Lone Jack, Missouri. I realize that my patients have become my teachers Our patients repeatedly tell us how much we do for them, how much we mean to them, but the secret to how we oncology nurses can do what we do lies in what our patients leave with us.
We receive their gifts of grace and humility and apply them to others we serve. It is a circle of love. Robin A. Newport News, Virginia. One evening I came on the to shift and one of my patients was a year-old who had come in through the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. Exploratory abdominal surgery found ovarian cancer, and she had been started on her first dose of cisplatin that afternoon.
She had not had any chemotherapy teaching, and she was scared to death. I did not know much about chemotherapy and its side effects at that point, so I spent a few days educating myself and the patient and finding her literature to take home. I decided at that point to learn all I could about cancer, chemotherapy, and side effect management to prevent another patient from being started on a treatment without the proper education.
I eventually went back to school to become an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist and have loved it ever since. Belinda R. Issues Issues September Vol 4 No 6. Lincoln, Vermont In February , my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Catherine B. Vienna, Virginia In the mids, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with rectosigmoid colon cancer. Vicki D. Seattle, Washington I was blessed with 5 children. Lucinda F. Las Vegas, Nevada When I was in college, my best friend was getting married.
Laurin C. Cincinnati, Ohio While working as a hospice nurse , the patients I cared for at the end of their lives inspired me to make a difference for patients that are actively being treated. Eileen D. New Haven, Connecticut Every patient I have met has added an element of substance to my life.
Phoenix, Arizona I started my nursing career in a skilled nursing facility that took in patients with hospice care, if they had cancer. Crofton, Maryland I floated to an oncology floor. Theresa W. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania My father was diagnosed with non- Hodgkin lymphoma when I was in nursing school. Lisa G. Frankfort, Illinois I performed IV therapy for many years , giving chemotherapy and getting close to our patients with cancer.
Cedar Park, Texas It was after I experienced breast cancer that it was clear that in my role and with my story I could offer hope and credibility to support others on their breast cancer journey. Lone Jack, Missouri I realize that my patients have become my teachers Newport News, Virginia Our most sincere gratitude to all who participated in this survey.
Read Issue. I'd like to receive:. TON Print Edition. Helena St. I have reviewed and consent to the terms of TON 's Privacy Policy , and TON has my permission to retain my information in its database, and to forward pertinent communications to me. Although she may initially know little about the day-to-day responsibilities, that nurse could bring an important set of qualities through her passion, energy, attentive listening, and hunger to capture new learning opportunities. Because of the nature of the diseases we treat and the relationships we build with patients and their families, an oncology nursing career requires just as much passion as it does experience.
In clinics and institutions across the country, outpatient treatment for cancer is the norm. For many outpatient oncology nurses, working weekends, holidays, and nights are seldom required. Compared to inpatient settings and hour or overnight hospital shifts, working in oncology can seem like an enticing schedule for nurses eying our specialty.
When new nurses are interviewing for a role in our clinic, I listen for specific indications of true passion. I want to hear that journey story that drove them to this calling. As oncology nurses, we never punch a clock and call it a day. Oncology nurses have unique forms of distress. With all of the advances in cancer treatments, we now have years—not months—to inspire hope, provide help, and bond with patients in our clinics.
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