Have you ever wondered what being an Oncology Nurse means? What skills you would need? Or what a typical day in the life would look like? Make sure you’re all caught up with Specialty Nursing: What Makes a Good Onc Nurse! Now let’s dive in to an interview with Allison, a real life oncology nurse!
Name and Education
Hi! My name is Allison and I am a bachelor prepared nurse. I graduated with my Associates Degree from Golden West College in Huntington Beach, CA and with my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) from Western Governors University.
Where Do You Work?
I am an Adult Oncology Nurse.
How Long Have You Worked This Position?
Over 20 years.
What Made You Want to be an Oncology Nurse?
As a student nurse I had an overwhelming experience with an oncology patient, who was a fresh post-op in my OR rotation. Up to that point, in my 4th and final semester, as my colleagues were already discovering their niche, I was becoming increasingly concerned that I wasn’t really finding a specialty that I felt connected to.
On one particular day I met my patient, our nursing instructor had tasked us students to observe our patient from OR to recovery, and then accompany their transfer to the inpatient unit. We also cared for said patient the following day, so as to best understand the flow of a patients’ experience. My particular patient needed much psychosocial support as she had undergone a tumor debulking and was expressing deep anxieties and fears regarding her over all prognosis with cancer. A true nurse/patient bond was formed right there, as it was rewarding to offer support in communication. It was then I could really see the impact we nurses can have on our patients. The appreciativeness from my patient and her family was so rewarding.
What are the Most Common Skills Needed to be an Oncology Nurse?
Psycho-Social skills: therapeutic communication and seeing a patients’ treatment as a whole, as cancer affects all the bodies systems either by the disease process or the treatment regimes they will endure.
A great set of IV skills is paramount as well.
What Personal Qualities does an Oncology Nurse Need to Have?
Empathy and Patience.
What Does a Typical Day as an Oncology Nurse Look Like?
On the in-patient unit: it’s care management. Getting all the disciplines on the same page is a daunting task. Be it your patient’s Medical Doctor (MD) or their treating Oncologist, all disciplines need to understand the patient’s plan. The pharmacist, dietician, social work, all the specialists; infection control, pulmonology, GI, urology, neuro, you name it. It’s all the departments: CT, interventional radiology, nuclear med, to name a few. You may be assisting a patient transitioning to hospice as you are also admitting a rule out. Multiple levels of comfort and or debilitation. Multiple med pushing and IV infusions, chemo, isolations, tube feedings, TPN, neutropenia, blood products, pain and nausea control, bladder and bowel management. You will experience it all. Full code in one room while DNR in the other, an oncology nurse must be prepared for it all and then will become a bedside warrior to be counted on.
What is Your Most Favorite Part About Being an Oncology Nurse?
The challenge against the disease; it can be joyful in overcoming, but also dignifying in succumbing.
What Should Students Looking to go into Oncology Nursing Know about the Field?
That patients have their own personal autonomy to choose whether to follow thru in treatment or not. Some patients may want to try holistic means, and some may want to just make it to see their children raised. Some may forgo treatment altogether. We should always support their journey, and help them find their way, regardless of what we may personally choose for ourselves. Do not have a treatment bias.
Anything Else You Wish to Share?
Oncology is hard work, but so very much team orientated and the bonds you make with the patients and their families and all the care teams at the bedside are long lasting. It truly is a war.
Thank you Allison for your loving service to those with terminal conditions!
Be sure to check out the entire Specialty Nursing Series, and follow along with this new Specialty Nurse Interview Series!
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