MiKayla
What are some of the positives and negative of being a pediatric oncology nurse?
I would like to be an oncology nurse and was wondering what the pro's and con's are?
1 answer
Stephani Hunt
Stephani’s Answer
I can't answer the peds part, but I have worked in Adult Oncology. There are many pros and cons. The pros are that you really get to know your patients and their families, and you get to provide care and comfort in what is likely their worst experience they will ever have. You build bonds, see people grow, and learn a lot. The cons are of course, that many of your patients will not make it. It is hard to see the people you have worked with and who have fought so hard pass, but again, it is an honor just to be able to help them through the worst and ease their pain as well as their families. I did it for 3 years and loved every second of it. There will be very sad moments, so you have to be tough (as with most nursing in general), and it will be especially sad seeing small children or babies have to go through treatment, but I would personally say that the pros outweighed he cons for me! Hope that helped!
Thank you. You said that you only did it for 3 years, is there any reason why you stopped after 3 years?
MiKayla
thanks!!!!!
Tyler
I did my first co-op for my school (like an internship) on a Bone Marrow Transplant/oncology unit. I loved it ans stayed working there throughout school. I was required by my school to complete three 6 month co-ops to graduate (this is why I chose that school, and is not a general requirement of nursing school) in different places, so I had to complete my other ones elsewhere. When I passed my boards, there was a job opening on the unit I currently work on, but none on the Oncology unit, so that is why I left., not because I didn't love it. You can definitely get burnt out with the emotional ups and downs oncology brings, but honestly, at some point in my career I hope to work in that area again! It is very rewarding!
Stephani Hunt