Tuesday, May 8, 2018
May 2018, Oncology Nursing Month
It seems appropriate that we engage in a bit of nursing history this month to honor Nurses Week and Oncology Nursing Month. "The Lady and the Lamp" tells the story of Florence Nightingale who is given the most credit for establishing professional standards for nurses and patient care. The Evolution of Nursing is a brief history of nursing in America that recognizes many of the not so famous individuals who sacrificed so much to care for others.
Questions
Please write two paragraphs describing what you enjoyed most about these articles.
Discussion Question
Many people feel that oncology nursing is a calling - special people caring for a special patient population. The honest truth is that in my early nursing days I was asked to cross train to the oncology unit because of my IV skills, and I accepted the offer because of the pay differential and hours. That being said, I have no regrets and can't imagine another area of nursing that would have interested me as much as oncology has.
So, what's your story? How did you end up as an oncology nurse? Please share the story about how you were called to be an oncology nurse, and what inspires you to stay. Please enjoy reading Uncommon Bond: Oncology Nurses and Patients. Happy Oncology Nursing Month to everyone!
So this wraps up another year of Journal Club. I hope everyone enjoyed the articles as well as the discussions. I stand firm with my opinion that the nurses at MRMC are the best and brightest to be found anywhere! I have enjoyed reading your responses and can't wait for another year.
Please email your ACE forms to me at melissa.luebbe@ctca-hope.com. You can also send your form inter-office mail to Melissa Luebbe c/o Pain Management. There have been a total of five posts that you needed to participate in to receive Journal Club credit.
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I was in pediatric oncology in the 80’s. Back in 1997 I was called from AIH - our old name- and asked if I could come and teach and mark an ostomy pt. I said sure, legally get me in the door and Norma Peggy said can you come tonight. After a week of coming after I was done Victory it was discussed how much hey should pay me and if they should hire me for flex. The rest is history. Ironically MRMC was the last to get full time wound ostomy. I have fallen in love with oncology and do not miss the non compliant diabetic wound pt. This is my Home and my love.
ReplyDeletePat I am thankful for your journey!
DeleteWhere would we be without the queen of wounds? We and our patients would be lost and sad!
I agree as well, thank you to Pat and our whole wound ostomy team!
DeleteI just have to say what an enormous blessing you are to all who require your skill and passion-patients and Stakeholders alike:-)
DeletePat so thankful the powers that be woke up all those years ago and hired you on FT! I remember waiting for you to be FT. You are a blessing to our patients and us fellow nurses!
DeleteI am so very glad you are here, Pat!
DeletePat we at MRMC and the patients are lucky to have you!
DeleteMRMC patients are so lucky to have you.
DeletePat everyone in CTCA-MRMC are LUCKY and BLESSED to have YOU!
DeleteI'm so glad that we keep running into each other and working together!
DeleteI truly appreciate working with cancer patients because I can learn a lot from them about life and how disease can transform a human being. I admit that sometimes we are focused on our own problems, living in our own world, but facing the patient with cancer can change our perspective. We can learn humility and faith from these patients. Many times, I observe how these patients who are in pain and discomfort still smile and never lose their hope. I believe that I transformed here at CTCA by interacting with the cancer patients and admiring their strength and faith because miracles do happen...
DeleteI started out in the Emergency Room here, worked a little in Same Day Surgery
ReplyDeleteand Occupational Medicine and in Recoveryu,. I moved to Radiation Oncology for a bit and then decided I needed a change. The Return Patient Clinic then brought me on and I stayed ever since. I love the camaraderie with my coworkers and with my patients. Although I sometimes miss the intensity and fast action of the Emergency Room, I feel a loyalty to our patients
Loyalty is a good word! I think our hospital and our area of nursing definitely makes us feel like our patients are our family. We spend so much time with them that it is next to impossible to not be loyal to them. We have great patients and great co-workers! :)
DeleteCamaraderie matters!
DeleteWhen I was 20 years old, I decided to go into nursing. A week after I made the decision, my mom told me about a nursing scholarship that Midwestern Regional Medical Center was giving out for nursing students. I ended up receiving the scholarship from a hospital I at the time knew nothing about. I went on to become a PCT and got a job on the 3rd floor inpatient unit. I then finished nursing school and became a nurse on the same floor. I fell in love with our patients, our work, and my fellow co-workers. I still to this day work on the same unit. I love my unit and I love that I chose to grow as a nurse and as an individual in the oncology setting. It has changed my life for the better and I cannot imagine my life without these past 8 years.
ReplyDeleteSometimes its amazing the direction life takes you! Glad to have you on our team!
DeleteMy first experience with oncology was actually at CTCA for a nursing student clinical site. I could sense CTCA was different back then. Once a nurse, I sent my resume to several open positions at different hospitals but was quickly called for a position at another hospital. I took that position but less than 3 years later and after talking to two friends that worked at CTCA, I finally decided to apply - that was nearly 6 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI love reading these stories about being a student and doing clinical at CTCA and you saw how special CTCA and its nurses are. At times, nurses don't always make other nurses welcome. I truly think CTCA is special and a great place for nurses.
DeleteGlad you finally applied here! You are an amazing nurse and we are lucky you chose to work here!
DeleteI started out at Northwestern in the Spinal Cord Injury Unit, it was a great place to start to develop clinical skills as the ICU was part of our unit but it was also very sad and I lasted there only 9 months. An opportunity to work in the OR (again at Northwestern) came up and I loved it. I was tired of Illinois weather and one day, one of the surgeons approached me one day to help him start his private practice in Florida and I jumped at the opportunity. He was a reproductive endocrinologist and it opened the door for me to do infertility nursing. I was an In Vitro Fertilization "IVF" coordinator for 20 years. Crazy as it sounds that job was very time consuming and I was always on call so I had enough and left after 20 years and came to CTCA. I was a bit apprehensive since I had so many family members taken by cancer but I am so glad I did as it has helped me heal and see that cancer at times can be a chronic illness. I will be here as long as CTCA will keep me. I love the patients and the people I work with.
ReplyDeleteWow! 20 years in Florida?!?!? Who knew?? What a cool journey:-)
DeleteAs unfortunate as it is that you lost 'many family members', I think it is wonderful that by working in oncology you found healing. That is a huge blessing!
DeleteVery true that losing family members to cancer gives you a better understanding of the patient/family perspective. I have a little tug at my heart every time I have a patient with small cell lung, remembering the hardships my brother experienced before dying. It makes us even more empathetic and understand the patient plight better. It can be healing, you are right.
DeleteI spent over 20 years in long-term care and it is also time-consuming. I was working in management and on-call constantly. I have found a better work-life balance in oncology.
DeleteI also have several family members lost to cancer or currently in their cancer journey. I understand what you mean about seeing cancer as a chronic illness and that makes it much easier to accept.
Very glad you are here, Chrissy.
DeleteAs a college student, I started out thinking I would major in Exercise Science/Physical Therapy. After doing 1 semester of College Physics, I decided that wasn’t for me…I ended up looking at becoming a doctor or nurse. I felt that nursing seemed to have a better fit for me. During college, I became friends with a girl whose brother, Brad, had been in remission for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (treated from age 13-15). He became like a brother to me, very sweet and kind-touched my heart deeply. During my CNA summer course, I was staying with his family, when Brad relapsed. A month later, he died on his 19th Birthday. I feel that having him in my life directed me into oncology nursing. 9 months after he passed, I was discussing summer internship options and had met a rep from CTCA MRMC at a Nursing Conference. I kept in touch. I even drove here for a hospital tour and found out that they were creating a summer internship program for nurses. I applied and ended up being selected and enjoyed my time as a summer nurse intern. At the end of the internship, I was offered a job the following summer, after graduating and passing my boards. And the rest is history I have been here ever since, working Inpt., Outpt., Port room for the past almost 13 years (in July). I am very thankful for having this opportunity and that I have the ability to work with oncology patients.
ReplyDeleteYour story is touching, I also was inspired by a close friend who died way to young from cancer.
DeleteGlad you are part of the team, Sarah. You bring so much.
DeleteSo after 23 years of working in ER/EMS-Transport/Critical Care that is primarily a "treat and street" model, I was given several opportunities to transition into a calmer, safer environment with better hours. Having walked a very short journey(8 months)with my Mom through ALL, AML, and lymphoma, the offer from CTCA seemed the obvious choice. The last 5.5 years here has been a huge change as far as a completely different type of patient population, the business/care model that is implemented, and the professional leadership that I work under. I have found it to be bittersweet learning a whole new specialty. I look back on how I could have better served/advocated for Mom had I possessed more oncology "know-how"-although the advancements that exist today were not even available then. I have enjoyed the introduction,exposure and nurturing of holism in my life that I was unfamiliar with prior to working at CTCA. I enjoy the company and working with people who are of this mind-set. At the end of the day, I will always cherish the special bonds I have with present as well as past colleagues. Seems strange to look back on those crazy days of pure chaos, incredible stress and sometimes raw fear in the ER/EMS arena, and NOW say, "man that was fun!"
ReplyDeletejulie,
Deletethank you for sharing your experience with us. Its quite and experience working from ER/ EMS to shifting to oncology
My nursing journey started when my oldest son burned his arm on boiling water. Though this was a challenge, it was also a life changing moment (for both of us). I went to school as a wife and mother of 3 young children to become a nurse. I started out in med-surg and had a fear of patient’s dying while I was the nurse. After some time, I decided I would become a hospice nurse to overcome my fear of death. I jumped right in. It didn’t take long for my goal to be accomplished LOL! The journey continued as a large percentage of my hospice patients had cancer. So I took another challenge and became an oncology nurse. It has been 7.5 years and I love it! Yes, it is difficult at times; however we are also able to celebrate victories with our patients and establish relationships with patients and their families. I have also worked in home health care and I feel the combination of my experiences benefits oncology patients. I can share with them to help alleviate some of their fears. It is a positive win-win situation.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how life events can change your path! Going to nursing school with 3 young children had to be very hard. Having previous experience in hospice/HHC - is perfect for the outpatient nursing role at CTCA!
DeleteSheila,
DeleteThat's quite a story. Thank you for sharing your truly personal experience that guided you towards nursing. I find it interesting that you started out in hospice and then went into oncology nursing. Since we care for and treat many patients that have a poor prognosis and often find themselves in hospice, it seems like it would be a more natural transition to move from oncology to hospice. Thank you for your contribution and being part of the oncology "family".
What a great example you have set for your children, Sheila~
DeleteLife is funny, I met you when you started your journey and so glad our paths crossed again and we get to work now.
DeleteI was working at Froedtert in Milwaukee recovering patient's that received breast surgeries. One of my patient's told me that she came to CTCA in Zion, IL for her breast cancer treatment. She kept telling me how great it was to come to CTCA, how great Dr. Citrin was and how different the hospital felt when she came as a patient. I was looking for a change and decided to apply to CTCA. I've never looked back on that decision.
ReplyDeleteA great decision for us, indeed!
DeleteI am very glad you are here , Brittney! And extra happy, we get to work together!
DeleteI have only been in Oncology for 2 years. Prior to that I took care of CKD patient's through their chronic disease journey. I had always imagined myself to be a bedside Nurse, however fell in love with taking care of the chronically ill. The year before I made the move into Oncology my best friend was diagnosed with a GBM brain tumor. Seeing what she went through and the lack of support she got from her providers is what motivated me to learn more about Oncology and eventually start working at MRMC in the outpatient clinics. I love the care that we can provide to our patients and I love that MRMC makes the mother standard a priority.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to understand why other places don't provide what we do. Guess that just makes us stand apart! Glad you're here, Jen.
DeleteI feel the same way Jen. I have very high expectations now after seeing all the hard work we do and the extra TLC we give our patients. Not just by the nurses but from Everyone working here at CTCA.
DeleteIn nursing school in Omaha, at 20 yrs old, I had a med-surg class that was heavy on oncology. I was fascinated by how maliciously smart cancer cells were, what they did within the body to survive, how they deceived the immune system. Then the treatments of radiation and chemotherapy were just as fascinating. The science was so exciting! So I started on an oncology unit, totally loved the long term relationships and family rapport that developed. Now, 37 years of oncology nursing later, I am still fascinated by the science and stayed in patient care for the daily patient contact and relationships. I would never work in another specialty, oncology is my career passion.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I love your creative writing! That's what makes me so fascinated with oncology as well---trying to outsmart the cancer! Clinical Research is a great field to assist with this.
DeleteI started my nursing career at a local, level 1 trauma center. I primarily did orthopedic cases, specifically elective total joint replacements. After several years of working in that capacity, I was in need of a change. A close friend of my family died from lung cancer in his forties. He was a wonderful person who was led a healthy life. He worked hard to become an attorney and still worked part time as a police officer. Like the saying goes: bad things sometimes happen to good people. I decided to not only get a change of scenery, but enter into a nursing realm that was personal to me. After studying for and obtaining my OCN certification, I became even more intrigued with the exciting future of care and treatment in oncology.
ReplyDeleteHi John,
DeleteThanks for sharing your story of how you got into oncology nursing. What a drastic change from level 1 trauma. Sometimes its interesting how life can take a hard situation (your friend's death) and turn it into a positive situation (you becoming an oncology nurse). Thanks for all you do-
Krista
Hi Melissa and fellow bloggers!
ReplyDeleteI was not necessarily called to oncology nursing but ended up at CTCA with the recommendation of a friend. I was initially impressed with the hospital and its standard of care for the patients and the stakeholders. I have remained at CTCA working with oncology patients for many reasons. The most prominent reasons are the amazing patients and fellow stakeholders I work with. I love hearing the individual stories of the patients. I love being a part of their journey. Although my future career aspiration is to be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I am sure I will still work with oncology patients. Cancer is not only a physical ailment, but can also cause psychological, emotional, and spiritual distress. I will always have a special place in my heart for oncology patients and I feel blessed to be able to work with them and help them through the process.
Thank you Melissa and everyone for this year’s journal club!
Hi, Krista,
DeleteLike you, I ended up with CTCA upon a recommendation from a friend. I wanted the 12 hour shift on weekends that they were offering at the time. Work 12 hour on Saturday and Sunday(total 24 hour) and get paid for 40 hour. I enjoyed working with my colleagues and have been here for 36 years.
I fell into oncology nursing by chance. I did nursing as a career change, and graduated from nursing school in 2006. Michelle Bregenzer was a clinical instructor in my evening ADN program, and mentioned that she absolutely loved her job at CTCA. When I graduated, CTCA was one of 4 places I applied to (all local). I accepted CTCA because I enjoyed my interview, was intrigued with the bonus option, and because the CNO at the time guaranteeed that I could work on a med-surg floor, as I wanted to be an “all-around nurse” and hone my skills. MRMC has changed since then, as we no longer are a receiving hospital for ambulances, and we don’t see that many community patients. As its focus became more exclusive to oncology, so too did my interest and extertise in this field. I admit that sometimes I dream of what it would be like to work in a completely different area, such as labor and delivery or a burn unit. I am unsure if I’ll ever act on those ideas. Right now I enjoy what I do, and I like that I’ve received exposure to many facets of oncology (inpatient, radiation oncology, infusion, clinical research).
ReplyDeleteTheresa Minniear - Clinical Research
Theresa, I can relate to your post as I also interviewed at several places when I decided to make a change in my nursing career. This place just had such a positive energy to it that I could not ignore so I took the position here and have never looked back.
DeleteI actually always wanted to be in oncology. Its the reason I went into nursing. I have my own history of cancer and felt that this profession was my calling. I started in the ICU due to having no experience and were I did my clinicals and role transition at. I enjoyed it, but pursued my dream to be an oncology nurse. I applied here after 1.5 years in the ICU and was my best choice yet!
ReplyDeleteI started my healthcare journey as a home health aide, a C.N.A., an L.P.N. and finally an R.N. While working as a C.N.A., I worked occasionally through an agency for extra money. I came to CTCA to fill a few shifts. I really, really enjoyed caring for the oncology patient and since I absolutely hate throwing up, I could empathize with my patients and found myself doing anything I could to make them feel better. It was very rewarding to be able to have the time to help the patients at CTCA. I was used to having 30 people to try to keep clean, dry, showered, fed and happy. I slowly began working toward becoming an R.N. always thinking in the back of my mind that I would return to CTCA as a nurse and really be able to care for my patients and make a difference. I am not really sure if it was oncology or CTCA that made me feel as if I was really making a difference or not. After working about 11 years as an RN I asked myself why am I not at CTCA. I happened to apply at the right time and ended up in oncology. It has been the best decision ever.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an asset, Trish. Glad you are here.
DeleteWhen I first came in the US in 2000, I was once taking care of my aunt who happened to have a Stage III breast cancer. Not only did I see her struggled in her battle against cancer,but as well as see her in her successful treatments. Looking back at that, it gave me a different perspective of the many impacts cancer has in someone else's life and because of that when I was given the opportunity to work here at MRMC first as a patient care technician, I promised myself that I will do the best I can not only in helping people battling cancer to not lose hope and care for them just as I would if it was my family member. After working as a PCT for awhile, I decided to pursue a career in nursing because I wanted to be involved more in the care of the patients. I wanted to make a huge difference as an advocate, a leader, and a collaborator for them. In my 5 years as a nurse, I can truly say that dealing with oncology patients is not easy because it takes a lot of compassion in order to understand how and what they feel. I feel fortunate that I became an oncology nurse because God made me an instrument for these people not only in helping them go through the hardships of their battles,but as well as their warrior in giving them hope and making them realize that I will always be there for them no matter what happens.
ReplyDeleteMy journey to becoming an oncology nurse started years before I became a nurse. I am a breast cancer survivor of 27 years. When I decided to go into nursing I had been a survivor for 15 years at that point. I honestly thought I would be a peds nurse but I worked with an employee from here who recommended I apply as she thought I would fit in well here. Once I stepped foot in this building I knew what my calling as a nurse was. It was/is to give back and continue to pay it forward to those diagnosed with cancer. One of the scariest things someone can say to you: You Have Cancer. I am one of the lucky ones that survived and it soothes my soul to be able to care and nurse for our patients. I believe I was given cancer early in my life so I could be the nurse I am today. I consider it an honor and privilege to be a part of this journey with our patients. I believe God puts us where we need to be when we need to be.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am so glad you're here, so glad you became an oncology nurse, and I count myself lucky to call you my stem cell co-worker, friend, and work wifey. :-)
DeleteWhat brought me to be an oncology nurse? CTCA did. Specifically, their willingness to allow me to complete clinical hours as part of my nurse refresher course (I'd been home with our children for a season, and was taking an online refresher course approved by the State of IL). Other facilities were not familiar with this particular course, and thus not open to my request. Not CTCA. They said, "Sure!" I completed the clinical hours and subsequently applied for a position.
ReplyDeleteWhat keeps me an oncology nurse? Our patients. I really DO believe it's a calling to be an oncology nurse. It's not for everyone. But if I can ease a patient's burden, advocate for them, truly hear them and know them, and laugh (and cry) with them? What a gift. I'm honored to be an oncology nurse.
My journey in oncology started after experiencing a family member having cancer.i wanted to make a difference in the life of those people who is experiencing it. I learned a lot from working here. and i feel im a better nurse because of this.i love listening to our patients story and Im happy to be apart of their journey
ReplyDeleteWhat a great career that you have chosen, Vilma! I have seen how well you work with patients and how you go above and beyond for them =)
DeleteI started my career at Froedtert hospital way before it was such a large facility as it is now, at that time it was only 5 floors, but still cutting edge treatment. My husbands job took me from one end of the country to another. I worked home care for many years which offered a lot of autonomy. While still doing home care I also did home hospice care which I was very drawn to. It may sound strange, but the most rewarding part was to help the patient and family at the crisis portion of the dying process. Helping them achieve a dignified and peaceful passing. Once my children were in school I went per diem and worked at a GI center for 14 years. I had a few friend who came to CTCA and said how great it was to work here and I had decided to return to work full time and decided oncology nursing would be a great fit. Helping patients and families through the cancer treatment process is very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI was a CNA on a med-surg/oncology unit at Good Shepherd Hospital while in nursing school. I always wanted to be a L&D nurse. When it came time for a nursing externship, there were 2 of us that applied. The other nurse was a CNA in L&D. Well, she got the L&D and I stayed in med surg/oncology. I remember telling my manager during my interview, "the day you make me take a chemo class is the day I look for another job because I am NOT going to be an oncology nurse". 18years later I cannot imaging doing any other area of nursing. I have watched my brother beat testicular cancer, my dad beat NHL, and now he's fighting another cancer. I love the relationships I have with these patients and being a part of their journey. I'm often asked how I could stay is such a sad specialty. I tell people you have to re-define success. Success isn't always cure. Success is sometimes getting a pt and their family to a place of acceptance and peace with their outcome. I don't feel this is just a job, but a true passion.
ReplyDeleteElisa - I had no idea!!! I enjoy working with you. You are such an amazing nurse.
DeleteAfter I graduated from nursing school I went off to become a cardiac nurse, I did that for 3 years and was extremely stressed (I thought the stress was from being a new grad but the stress never went away). I was very unhappy and decided I needed to do something different. I came to CTCA during clinicals and honestly was impressed on how clean this facility was and the staff seemed happy. I applied once then waited and waited for like 3-4 months, never heard anything so I applied again. I have now been here for 4.5 years. I will say yes it is very stressful at times but I am happy. I enjoy working with my team and love caring for our patients.
ReplyDeleteNinfa Bontes, surgical clinic
ReplyDeleteWhen I came to the "Land of green pasture" as what I mostly hear before I landed in the USA, I started my first job working for a SNF facility for a minimum of 6 years. This is quite a very different field of nursing transition caring for the elderly and cognitively challenged population. Simultaneously then, I served a part time RN job at American International Hospital (which has been re-named a few titles and now presently the CTCA at MRMC) in the IV team department. It was an introductory and eye opener new role for me to care for cancer-inflicted patients. Even if I was only spending transient time with them, I already had a feel of an oncology nursing. At the time, we had a mixed patient population of medical-surgical and oncology patients. Although I did not partake much of a direct patient care contact for 8 successive hours of duty, I could witness the patient's painful sufferings in their treatment journey. I joined the CTCA family started from being a medical-surgical nurse and transitioned to being an oncology nurse. It was a challenging adjustment for me, but I took it as a new field of nursing expertise. My new role now is very rewarding and I enjoyed talking with my patients and especially caring for them encompassing their peri-operative surgery period.
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ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up, I wanted to be three things....a chef, a veterinarian, or a nurse. I loved cooking, animals, and caring for people all equally but when I was diagnosed with ALL at the age of 9, my whole world was changed. I went through 3 years of unrelenting chemotherapy and witnessed first hand the effects it had on my parents, brother, friends, and myself both personally and emotionally. Throughout the journey, though, I was cared for by compassionate, caring, knowledgeable, and professionals who enjoyed their job and their patients. I had nurses who would request to be my nurse because they had developed such a bond with me and my family, a physician who had his own unique trademark that he would do with each of his patients upon each visit (mine was pinching my big toe during my head to toe assessment), and did their best to make a crappy and undesirable situation into as much of a positive one as possible and get at least a small smile from me. 21 years later, I remember my nurses names - still see some of them during my yearly follow up - my physician came to my wedding, where my parents, myself, and him all hugged and burst into tears because we all know what a battle it has been but we made it.
ReplyDeleteDuring my journey, I was fully involved (as much as a 10 year old is allowed to be)and I loved the "flushing of my central line, doing my medications at the appropriate times, etc." and I wanted to give other families and patients the same type of compassion I was fortunate to receive during my treatments and so my career path was set in stone by those years. I idolized them and wanted to be that type of nurse.
I graduated in 2009, applied and applied to CTCA (based solely on seeing their commercials - I wanted a place that would allow me to provide individualized patient care) until I heard something, and have now worked here for 9 years.
I now use cooking and interactions with animals as my self care instead of a career path. :)
Very touching story Elizabeth!! Glad you had a care team that you loved!
DeleteIn all honesty, I did not want to become a nurse. I wanted to work either in public relations or become a zoo keeper. I was inspired due to the care that my grandfather was given by the nurses that he interacted with. During nursing school, both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer. So, it was a juggling act between having to study for exams and taking them to multiple doctor appointments. I did not want anything to do with oncology after they passed away. But low and behold, after I passed my boards at the end of April of 2013 and was offered a position at CTCA during the 2nd week of May, I am still here today and have never looked back. What inspires me to stay is the appreciation that we get from our patients. As Brenda Nevidjon states in the article, “Uncommon Bonds: Oncology Nurses and Patients” we form bonds with our patients that I feel is so special because of the circumstances that they are faced with. We are not only their nurse but their confidant, their friend, and their family.
ReplyDeleteHi Camille, I think you are my sister from a different mother. We have things in common. Just like you , I don't want to be a nurse....all I want is to be an engineer. But look at us now, we are making a difference in peoples lives.. No regrets... GO Nurses and Go Sally.......
DeleteCamille, I totally agree we become so many things to our patients. We are their confidant, their friend and their family. Thanks for putting it into words.
DeleteLike you, I never wanted to be a nurse, but my parents do. I am glad I did what they want then and here I am now, touching lives everyday as a NURSE.
DeleteEvabeatriz S. - I was pursued by a stakeholder to work here and I made attempts of applying here but not quite serious about it, besides I had difficulty dealing with death and dying. Finally came the time that I have to move on with my career and give a chance for advancement. I am still on the process of blending in with oncology. The rewarding part is patients' and families' acknowledgements and gratitude of how you helped them on their journey. Patients are appreciative just by listening to their everyday battle with cancer. It's fulfilling that at the end of the day you made someone happy.
ReplyDeleteI did clinical at CTCA when I was getting my ADN. We didn't do clinical on the stem cell unit, but I remember seeing the sign and thinking, "Wow! I bet that's really cool." I ended up with a job at Lutheran on med/surg/respiratory, and while I did enjoy it and learned a lot, after three years the commute and organizational changes were wearing on me. As I started searching for jobs closer to home I came across CTCA job postings which included a stem cell night shift position. I looked at it and said, "That's my job." Nearly seven years later I am still on stem cell, still nights, and have no intentions of leaving. My co-workers and our patients are what have kept me in oncology nursing, and I honestly can't imagine working with another patient population again!
ReplyDeleteWhen God leads the way, the road ahead does not make sense. My oncology nurse started when I came back from Orange County, CA. It was very difficulty at first since I have a difficulty dealing with death a d dying. I lost both of my parents at a young age, my sister got diagnosed with Uterine CA. Caring for oncology patients is so rewarding and I enjoyed it. I am coming to my 10th year. No regrets!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear that you have NO regrets despite all the things going on and the changes happening in our own department. Thank you for moving to PACU and working with these special group of nurses.
DeleteThis is what nursing is all about. Opening our hearts and listening. We will follow the path that we are suppose to if we do open our hearts.
DeleteWhen I came to America I started working in a nursing home (at that time they're the only facility who petition nurses). In the nursing home where I worked MRMC (used to be AIH American International Hospital) has two rooms for almost hospice patient who needs special IV care, like TPN etc. I meet Rogelie one of the IV team nurse. I told myself that I want to be an IV team nurse. I never imagine I'll be in an oncology hospital after they hire me. After taking care of an aunt in law who had colorectal ca in the Philippines, I was amazed how the treatment I witnessed in CTCA, I kept thinking my aunt would have been alive if I've known these before. AIH was a very small hospital when I started here, but was very advanced state of the art facility. I became a CRNI (Certified Registered Nurse Intravenous) a year I was hired. Nursing leadership & administration was already big on certification even those years.When IV team got dissolve I worked in BMT, ICU and now in SDS. The journey was not that smooth especially taking care of patients/family you got so closed with and they die.It was hard at first, but then I realized that there's always the other side of the coin. Listening to the testimonies and appreciations of patients being cured or whose life was prolong qualitatively, how grateful they are; that they've never seen or experience the MRMC CARE; or do we go to a special school to become these good, caring or exemplary; it eases all the hardworks & emotional turmoil of losing someone. I guess I love oncology too much coz after 30 years I am still working here not only as a nurse but also A Breast Cancer SURVIVOR!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Lastly I would like to Thank Melissa for another wonderful Journal Club Year! Thank You for all your hardwork!!
God Bless you Ate Imelda, you did it. Bravo for being a cancer survivor.
DeleteI was a cardiac nurse on an inpatient floor for several years and started to look for a change in hours. I had a friend who worked at CTCA and told me how amazing it was to work here. I applied for an outpatient clinic role with Breast surgical patients and ultimately got the job. I could not be happier! I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be! God has placed me in lives of woman that I feel I was meant to help. I am able to establish relationships that I feel I make a difference in. This is a unique and special area of nursing and I am in awe of what I witness with my patients. All that they go through and come out of and still see positive in their lives. Many say wow it must be hard to work there, and I think actually you don't know how much the patients do for me. They change my attitude towards life and make me more optimistic! They help me appreciate what god has given me and who he has placed in my life. Including the people I work with! Thank you all for all you do and thank you Melissa for another year of Journal Club!
ReplyDeleteyou're right, this population of patients do change our attitude on life and help us appreciate things in life. My way of thinking was very different prior to working here. I didnt know anyone that worked here before applying, I just knew this was the right place for me.
DeleteJoli, you share my sentiments exactly. These patients teach us so much, and make us feel that whatever we are going through, it is small compared to what they are going through.
DeleteI believe God placed us all where we are needed the most at Amy given time.
Thanks for all you do for our patients.
Brenda
Amen
DeleteFrom high school on, I always knew that I wanted to work with Oncology patients. My dad died at the age of 38 of SCLC. I saw the things he went through with both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While I was in college, my grandmother died of metastatic breast cancer. I have always worked in oncology in some fashion. My first nursing job was on a Med-Surg nurse. I was the only nurse on my shift that was chemo certified (yikes). I did travel nursing for 1.5 years and next went back to a Med-Surg/Oncology floor. After working in the inpt setting for 7 years, I was ready for a change but knew I still wanted to take care of Oncology patients. I have now been in Radiation Oncology for 11years and love, love, love my patients. They really are the reason that I stay on this path. I have learned that it is okay to cry with these patients and support and encourage them along their journey. When people ask "how can you do that, isn't so sad", I respond with "You have to encourage and support them when they are fighting and make them as comfortable as possible when they at the end of their journey". I really can not imagine doing any other kind of nursing!
ReplyDeleteVery well said Tina, I can’t imagine doing any other kind of nursing either. Thanks for all you do for our patients.
DeleteBrenda
I started off at Advanced Pain Management in Racine, Kenosha, and Milwaukee. There I worked in pre-op, post-op, and in the surgical unit helping patient with pain management. From there I transitioned to Hospice Alliance in Kenosha. I was always told by friends that CTCA is the best place to work. I noticed there was an LPN opening, and I applied. I’ve never looked back, and the rest is history! I love the care we provide to our patients! My friends are right-This is the BEST place to work! I love my patients!
ReplyDeleteNursing was a second career for me as I sold real estate for ten years before becoming a nurse. My first nursing job was at a skilled nursing facility rehabilitation unit. I worked there for 9 months and my Supervisor said to me...”Brenda, you are a great nurse, and as much as I would hate to see you go, you need to spread your wings for you can and will do greater things than what can be offered to you here.” She told me about CTCA and told me that I should apply. She said that she applied several times but never got hired. She told me what a great place to work CTCA is. I applied and was hired by Sandy Beta to work on third floor medical surgical wing. Sandy said, “ If you can work and survive on 3rd floor, you can work anywhere in this hospital!” I worked on third floor about a year and a wound care position opened up. I didn’t know if the transition would be a good fit for me or not, but 5 years after joining the wound care team I still love it! I love working here as I love the patients here. They are truly special and reinforce the meaning of life to me every day.
ReplyDeleteBrenda Chiappetta
I started my nursing career at a hospital where I worked as a nurse intern. After graduation I was hired and worked on a med/surg unit for a few years then moved to cardiac icu then cardiac step down. After that I did home health for a while and then moved to management. I worked in the management capacity in both acute care and long term care facilities. From then I transitioned back to a more direct patient care role as a care manager in an acute care setting. I moved out of state and took a position as a care manager but wanted a change so went back to the bedside on an oncology unit and the rest is history. I loved the meaningful interaction that I had with my patients. I also loved working in a Magnet facility. When I decided to move back to Illinois those were the 2 criteria that I was looking for...a Magnet hospital with a focus on oncology. I am so glad that I found a great "home" at CTCA.
ReplyDeleteI began working here by chance. When I first graduated nursing school, I applied here. I was told I needed experience in the nursing field but they would keep my information on file. I began working in a pediatric clinic and was there for 2.5 years. Even though I loved working with kids every day, I was looking for a change but had not applied anywhere. I received a call from the talent department stating the were looking for nurses in their stem cell transplant unit so I applied. During the interview, we came to the conclusion that I would be a better fit for the clinic and that was the best decision because I love what I do. I have learned so much from both co-workers and patients and hope this continues.
ReplyDeleteI knew I wanted to go into oncology before I even started the nursing program. I believe I made the decision to go into oncology because of the two very different experiences of my mother and step mother. Both were diagnosed with breast cancer, but while my step mother has been in remission for over 30 years, my biological mother passed away after her cancer metastasized. No professionals would listen to my mothers complaints of spinal pain, passing her many ER visits off as drug seeking. Finally, a physician took note and did a scan, but it was too late for her. I came to CTCA deliberately as my first semester clinicals in nursing school and then applied for a PCT job. I worked as a PCT until I graduated and was accepted as the first nurse fellow. I have enjoyed my time here and the patients I have cared for over the years.
ReplyDeleteI started working in the Nursing Home ( Zion Care & Rehab Center in 27th St ) when I first set foot here in the US. I've taken care of nursing home residents who have cancer and comes to MRMC for treatments. Back then, I was not really interested in cancer care or oncology nursing.
ReplyDeleteFew months down the road. I left the nursing home and work in Emergency & Critical Care Nursing. I loved it because everyday is an action adventure; you'll never know what you'll get and you'll never know what crazy things comes your way.
But one day, I received a call from the Philippines ( from my parents )informing me that one of my uncle is in the hospital and was diagnosed with cancer. And of course, I think most Filipino nurses here at CTCA knows what happens next ???? OF COURSE I DID !!! OF COURSE I DID !!! I did send money back home to help them pay their bills. Few weeks had past and I received another call from my mom telling me that my uncle just passed away. It was so quick and I don't understand how it happen so fast. With that experience, I started to become interested in Oncology Nursing. I applied here at MRMC-CTCA and started flex/part time position in the ER. After few years of Oncology Nursing and meeting friends and other family relatives with cancer and sharing with them all the things I've learned here and knowing it did make a difference in their lives; that's when I decided to work full time and was very hungry for knowledge about cancer care.
Everyday, I'm praying and hoping that I'll give the best and safest care to all our patients, friends and relatives and can make a difference in their lives. Finally, I want to end my post with my favorite motto " I Serve So Others May Live ".
Thank you Melissa for another wonderful year of Journalphoria.
That's a very inspiring motto to live by Alex.
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ReplyDeleteI started my nursing career here in the US when I arrived 7 years ago. I worked in the nursing home then became an ER nurse, the hospital where I'm working at is not magnet and I believe there are lots of other hospitals to choose from. During that time I hear nothing but good things about CTCA and luckily I got hired. Patients are very appreciative of what you do for them and I realized how lucky I am to be able to take care of them too. I'm working with a good team and I couldn't ask for any better place to work.
ReplyDelete2002 I was looking for a job in a hospital. CTCA is the only facility that has day shift, they offer and I took it. Without even thinking Cancer patients, I was after of the change from my previous job. When I realize the population of CTCA hospital is overwhelming with sadness and grieving, I almost give up and quit after a week. But luckily I have an awesome preceptor Benny Peralta who give me the full knowledge of Oncology and she has this magnet of hiring and keeping nurses in CTCA. Typical old school nurse that will not give up and will keep you motivated. After receiving a very touching complement from a patient and picture that until now i kept it. I said to myself, maybe i will stay and be brave for the patients. Most of my friends cannot believe why I stayed. I told them "Oncology is a unique field of nursing and full of compassion.
ReplyDeleteThank you Melissa.
I first began my career in the medical field as a medical assistant in a family practice physician’s office. I was strongly encouraged to pursue a nursing career. My first nursing position was as a floor nurse on a surgical trauma orthopedic unit. I worked in this position for a little over 2 years. Interested in surgery, I applied to an opening at CTCA. I have now been a circulating nurse in the operating room for almost 3 years. CTCA was essentially my first nursing encounter in Oncology. I have come to thoroughly enjoy oncology nursing and obtained my OCN this past October. As an oncology nurse, I feel I not only teach my patients, but they teach me.
ReplyDeleteWe have a very similar experience Jennifer. I feel the same way about my patients. I have learned and continue to experience through my oncological patients, that in the midst of the storm, we can maintain hope and self preservation. God bless you.
DeleteI was in sales/marketing, particularly in Automotive sales. I worked for one of the largest Midwest Dealerships in the US. We averaged 300 cars a week. There was a number of 60 sales staff and during the winter months, sales are usually decreased and most dealerships have to "trim" the sales staff.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget it, it was 10 days before Christmas, I was newly married and the dealership layed off 10 sales people, I was one of them. I had never been more devastated.
I quickly started praying and soul searching. Everything at that time directed me to nursing.
I attended nursing school, graduated, and the fist position I found in the Hospital setting was a Medical-Surgical floor RN. I did that for 5 years until one night I was asked to float to the Oncology floor.
I was quite intimated and as I was receiving report for the first patient, my first oncological patient in my career, I was in tears. She was a mother, in her early 30s, with 3 children, 5, 7, and 9 year old.
That night, I found myself praying with all 5 oncology patients at different times of my shift. I felt a connection with my patients that I had not experienced before.
I remember getting in my car after that shift and talking to God. I said to myself, "I have been living a life of butterflies and daises, Lord, if this is where you need me, then let Your will me done Lord, not mine-I will go where you need me."
I was quite happy with my Orthopedic/Medical-Surgical position and had become quite an expert in my field and was preparing for board certification for Orthopedic Nursing.
Five years into my new profession, I saw younger Nurses getting the Monday-Friday positions that I so desperately wanted and after being quite frustrated, I pursued an outpatient RN position. I was hired at MRMC.
It was my five year anniversary here at MRMC 2 weeks ago, and I get back more from my oncological patients than I could have ever imagined. God is good, above all things.
I will continue to go wherever He leads.
Amen my friend.
DeleteI have witnessed the connection you share with patients when praying! It is quite powerful and your patients love you for being you!!! Don't change :)
DeleteJessica Mendez
God is good. He leads us to where we need to be. It's up to us to follow. What a blessing for you and for the patients whose lives you have touched!
DeleteI actually never looked at myself as an oncology nurse until a few years back when Dr. Stephenson, Awilda LaBonne PA and myself were presenting the Quality of Life to the ONS Chapter. I had just finished taking the Chemo class online and passed. As I was talking about how I'm an internal medicine nurse, it hit me, "I'm an Oncology Nurse". I just blurted it out to the group that night, "I am an oncology nurse. I may not practice like the rest of the oncology nurses but, my patients are oncology patients with internal medicine issues. I just help to address the internal medicine issues which are just as important as the cancer in many cases. I am a nurse who help oncology patients with their side effects and discomforts from chemo and radiation. I had never planned this pathway but, it has certainly been a calling and I am proud I followed the calling.
ReplyDeleteYou should be, Mary... you are a wonderful nurse. Patients are very lucky to have you caring for them.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThere never was a time in my life that I didn't consider to become a nurse. I started when I would play with the neighborhood kids and my role was always as a nurse. So when I finished high school, I immediately went to get my BSN degree and passed the board exam. I was recruited from the Phil. by the DON in Victory Memorial Hospital. I worked in the surgical floor then transferred to SICU. I got burnt out taking care of ventilator patients. My friend recommended CTCA formerly known as AIH(American International Hosp.)They were offering 12 hour shifts on Saturdays and Sundays and get paid for 40 hours. This schedule worked out well with my family. I had 2 year old baby and my husb. worked Monday thru Friday. So I babysit while he's at work and he did the babysitting on weekends. I started on the oncology floor and then floated to medical-surgical floor then to stem cell unit when it got established. I stayed in the sctu because I enjoyed working with our stem cell family. Never a dull moment and lots of things to learn. I'm still learning everyday even though I've been here for 36 years now.
When I started my nursing career 6 years ago as an ICU RN, I feel like I will be an ICU nurse for the rest of my nursing career. Until I feel like a need a change that will give me more time to spend with my family. When I heard about CTCA's PACU RN opening,a day shift job, I gave it a try to for an interview and got hired. Throughout my stay here, I felt like I am still practicing as an ICU nurse but with a different patient population. Working here makes me feel that my work is appreciated more and I hear patients saying how grateful they are to the staff for taking of them.
ReplyDeleteHello All,
ReplyDeleteFrom Highland Park hospital, a NorthShore University HealthSysytems affiliate, I transferred to CTCA in hopes of obtaining a "normal" schedule. I never adjusted to nights and the option to work during the day and as an added perk be closer to home was a no brainer. Little did I know was the impact that this transition would make by acquiring life-long friends and partaking in the very delicate and courageous battle that our patient population experiences. I would not trade this for the world. I feel very privileged to be in a position that makes a difference and inspires hope. I'm drawn more to CTCA now because cancer has touched me personally by affecting a family member and placing me as a caregiver. I believe I'm a much better oncology nurse because of this experience and plan to continue on this career path to positively impact others :)
Jessica Mendez
I became a nurse..... I was going through a nasty divorce and had a baby. I had previously been working in Chicago as a jeweler. I knew I could not support my daughter or myself on that salary. I had a Bachelor's degree in fine arts and knew that would not help very much. So, I thought I could take a CNA class at CLC, guess what?!?! I really like it.. I like being of service to others, helping people. I started working at Condell, it was fun. We had a great team. The nurses were so wonderful to me since I was in nursing school, I couldn't wait to become a nurse. My first job was at St. Theresa on the Psych floor - this I thought was my "dream job". It was not! I did learn a few things working on the Psych unit - both Adult and Adolescent / Child... I learned how to talk to patients and families, not to judge people, that people should be safe, have food, and have support. I am truly lucky to have had so many experiences both good and bad in nursing. I love and value my team in pain management we take such great care of the patients here at MRMC.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I wanted to be a nurse ever since I was a little girl. I have always enjoyed helping others and being the kid who got the bandaids out for family and friends for their "boo-boos".
ReplyDeleteBut, being an Oncology Nurse is something I was interested in when I received my nursing degree in 2004. I started out working in the Bone Marrow Transplant unit, and floated to the Oncology unit on occasion. I enjoyed working with oncology patients, as their stays back then in the hospital were much longer than they are now, and you got to know the patients/ their families. I have been in Oncology ever since; worked in smaller clinics, and started at CTCA in 2009 and currently working in the Infusion Center. I enjoyed having that continuity of care and connection with the patients. I do this even today with working in Infusion. Being an Oncology Nurse is really an exceptional specialty to be a part of. We should all be proud!
I started nursing as I love taking care of patients. My first 11 years were spent working with geriatric patients. I decided at that time that I needed a change and ended up interviewing at MRMC among 3 other locations. I decided to accept the position at MRMC 9 years ago and have not looked back. This job has been so humbling for me as I see what patients sacrifice to come here for their treatments. I feel so grateful each day to be a part of their journey's. I can not picture myself in any other position at this point in my life.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be a nurse since I was around 5 years old. My mother was hospitalized and I remember going to the hospital with my father and brother to visit her. I must have expressed an interest in being a nurse prior to that, because my father made me a nurses' cap and apron which I wore to the hospital. I remember feeling very proud and telling the nuns that "I want to be a nurse". Years went by and I maintained that thought until I was in college. At one point, I thought about going to medical school and even took the MCATs. I was about to start going on interviews for medical school when a neighbor (who was the nursing recruiter at the university hospital) had a long talk with me and told me she thought I would be a good doctor, but would be an even better nurse. I finished my degree and then went to nursing school. Some of my classmates were already working and talked to me about oncology nursing. I decided that this was the field for me. It appealed to my "scientific" self and also to the "caring" part of me. I started working on a bone marrow transplant unit back in the early 80s and have been in oncology ever since. I am glad I listened to my neighbor and am grateful to the classmates who encouraged me to check out oncology nursing.
ReplyDeleteMy name is hoover, my 18 years old daughter, Tricia was diagnosed of herpes 3 years ago. ever since then,we have been going from one hospital to the other. We tried all sorts of pills but all efforts to get rid of the virus was futile. The blisters kept on reappearing after some months. My daughter was making use of Acyclovir tablets 200mg. 2 tablets every 6hours and fusitin cream 15grams. and H5 POT. Permanganate with water to be applied 2x a day but all still show no result. So I was on the internet some months back, to sought for any other means of saving my only child. just then, i came across a comment on dr imoloa herbal treatment and decided to give it a try. i contacted the him and he prepared some herbs and sent it to me together with guidelines on how to use the herbs through DHL courier service. my daughter used it as directed dr imoloa and in less than 14days, my daughter regained her health.. You should contact Dr imoloa today directly on his email address for any kind of health challenge; lupus disease, mouth ulcer, mouth cancer, body pain, fever, hepatitis A.B.C., syphilis, diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, Huntington's Disease, back acne, Chronic renal failure, addison disease, Chronic Pain, Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Fibromyalgia, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, fungal nail disease, Lyme Disease, Celia disease, Lymphoma, Major Depression, Malignant Melanoma, Mania, Melorheostosis, Meniere's Disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis , Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer's Disease, parkison disease, vaginal cancer, epilepsy, Anxiety Disorders, Autoimmune Disease, Back Pain, Back Sprain, Bipolar Disorder, Brain Tumour, Malignant, Bruxism, Bulimia, Cervical Disk Disease, cardiovascular disease, Neoplasms, chronic respiratory disease, mental and behavioural disorder, Cystic Fibrosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, asthma, Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis. chronic kidney disease, inflammatory joint disease, impotence, feta alcohol spectrum, Dysthymic Disorder, Eczema, tuberculosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease. and many more; contact him on email- drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com./ also on whatssap-+2347081986098.
ReplyDelete