Oncology
nurses are in demand more than ever. It
takes specialized training to work as an oncology nurse; the degree of training
depends on the areas of specialties you plan to work in.
The Role
of an Oncology Nurse
Being
diagnosed with cancer is certainly a terrifying and life-changing experience. The impact of cancer on one's life is often the most traumatic event someone
has experienced. Some patients under treatment continue to work or care for
their families, facing life, using available resources. It is the nurse that
provides care to the patient, and education to the patient and family of the
patient. The nurse may try to reduce
anxiety and improve the patient's ability to cope. The nurse will assess the patient often and
determine needs and overall condition.
Oncology
nurses play a significant part in the health care team, as they work in all
aspects of cancer care. Oncology nurses
integrate their technical skills, scientific knowledge, and caring attitude to
aid those living with cancer, including their families – starting from
diagnosis, treatment, then survivor-ship to end-of-life care.
It can be
difficult to care for a patient for a prolonged period of time, and see them
through the end of life stage; however, as an oncology nurse it is assumed you
are prepared to take on whatever role is necessary for the patient.
A Day as
an Oncology Nurse
6:45 a.m. is
when Leah starts her shift at a large hospital, on the cancer care floor. Her first patient of the day was a regular
patient that had been admitted several times while under-going treatment. On this occasion, the patient's hemoglobin
was low, most likely from chemotherapy treatments. This patient was always in good spirits, and
was battling breast cancer, however she had the drive and determination to beat
the cancer once and for all. The second
patient was an eighteen-year-old young man with testicular cancer. He was struggling with why he had cancer at
such a young age, and the embarrassment of the treatments. Leah worked extra with him to help boost his
morale, she had a son, his age, and she felt very bad for this particular
patient. Her third patient was a 77-year-old
man with pancreatic cancer. He would
soon be transferred to a hospice facility; prior treatments had failed and he
opted to receive no more. The fourth and
last patient of the day was being admitted, and was suffering from a rare form
of bone cancer. As Leah cared for her
patients on this day, she put her all into caring for each one, doing what she
could to ensure they were comfortable. An hour prior to the patient with pancreatic cancer being transferred,
he passed away. Leah had to make calls
to inform his family, and although it was not unexpected, giving and hearing
that news is never easy. Leah composed herself;
she always needed a moment to do so after losing a patient. Before her shift was over she had a new patient
that had undergone surgery to remove a tumor in the rectum. Leah checked on all of her patients prior to
the end of her shift, and then left for the day, only to return 12 hours later.
Oncology
nurses need special training; however, there are a variety of other attributes
that a successful oncology nurse must possess. A positive attitude can help patients feel better, and can lighten the
mood in what is often a gloomy setting. Oncology nurses must be able to recognize changes in their patients, and
know when to react and contact the attending physician. Most cancer care nurses specialize either in
adults or pediatrics, it's rare to treat all ages, children have pediatric
oncologists with their own nurses to treat younger patients.
Registered
nurses that want to move into the specialty field of oncology should check
continuing education classes that are available online or locally. This specialized field is in demand; so many
hospitals will cover the cost of specialized trainings. It can be sad at times working in the field
of oncology, but with the advances in cancer care and
treatment, more and more patients become former patients as they walk out of
the hospital doors.
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