Oncology Nurse
For the nurse that is considering Oncology as her specialty. There are specific steps that will be helpful in her pursuit of one of the most challenging areas of health care.
Having completed the clinical area in general medical surgical nursing. Requesting a position in the Oncology area is essential to ascertain that this is indeed an area that you want to make your professional focus. Ideally there is a mentoring program in place or the ability to shadow an experienced nurse in the Oncology area.
A new nurse in the Oncology area can over time master the management and support of patients who are living with acute anxiety and sometimes pain. Learning to be realistic and quietly supportive , while always instilling hope during what often feels like a hopeless time, is a masterful skill. For it is this, that your patient needs and what you as an Oncology Nurse has to offer.
The area of Oncology offers clinical challenges to all nurses, but is especially rewarding for the nurse that has developed strengths in the psychosocial areas of nursing. As there are ongoing clinical hurdles related to the complications of the disease and or treatments. And the needed support to patients and their families during treatment. Patient education related to the illness , treatment and self care, is part of your nursing care as a nurse in the Oncology area. Pain management will be part of your skill group and one of your highest priorities in Oncology care.
The Oncology area of nursing covers in addition to the physiological course of an illness, the study of diagnostic procedures, the staging of the disease and the treatment options that may be offered to patients. Understanding these areas and participating in the care and treatment of your patients, adds to your knowledge base and offers the opportunity to develop skills needed in each area. The awareness of the complications of your immunosuppressed patients ; has to be high on your radar screen. You will always be observing your patients for sepsis, bleeding, and cardiac or respiratory complications . And to be prepared for there emergency interventions.
For the nurse who wants to fully develop his or her role as an Oncology Nurse. Joining the Oncology Nursing Society and acquiring Oncology Nursing Certification will add to the credentials that are needed in this area. There are study guides and educational courses to help to prepare you for this examination. This certification needs to be renewed by examination every four years ,on a national level. It allows you to add the letters O.C.N. after your R.N. Exams are in place for advanced practice nurses with further credentials.
. As an Oncology Nurse you will by the virtue of your chosen specialty , be involved in the administration of chemotherapy, or in the area of radiation treatments or the many other new options for the treatment of malignant disease. You may be involved with clinical trials. Each of these areas will require special training in the delivery of treatments and patient care.
.All Oncology Nurses must be trained and develop the clinical skills and abilities to acquire veinous access and to administer treatments draw blood and give emergent medication if needed.. Patients with malignant disease often require the administration of blood or blood products. As with any other skill , IV skills become more refined as a nurse becomes more proficient and gains experience.
Nurses who choose to become Oncology Nurses will over time evolve into the care of patients with end stage illness.. Those patients that have not responded to treatment . Or where disease may have progressed. It is during this time that you will use your skills in the psychosocial area. Assuring that your patients do not feel abandoned when treatment options have ended. Promoting their comfort and giving support to the patient and their family, becomes your highest priority . This includes the continuity of emotional support and or the delivery of their care...
Those patients that have completed treatments for their disease and are in remission will most likely return to visit the staff who have cared for them. Seeing them well and knowing that your quality care played a part . Is one of your personal and professional rewards . What is important for every Oncology Nurse to remember, is that you are not responsible for the disease or the success or the failure of its treatment. But it is you the Oncology Nurse that can make things better..
