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Position Papers
Why Choose Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing?
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nursing is a career with multiple opportunities.
It is a profession that demands broad knowledge (art and science of nursing),
strong critical thinking/problem solving/decision making skills, and a high
degree of compassion and sensitivity for children, adolescents, young adults,
their families and their community.
In return you will experience an overwhelming sense of respect, appreciation
for your service and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.
Pediatric hematology/oncology nursing is a dynamic and evolving discipline
that is based on knowledge derived from theory, research and practice. It is
not only the knowledge that the pediatric nurse acquires but the application
of this knowledge and the ability to artfully apply it to the care of a child,
adolescent and/or young adult (AYA). From playfully getting a child to take
their medicine to saving their life through critical thinking, the pediatric
hematology/oncology nurse is making a difference in the lives of his/her patients.
Energy, creative, knowledgeable, competent, kind, hopeful, humorous, challenging,
respectful, understanding, empathetic, teacher, researcher, inquirer, team
player, collaborator, family-centered, … are descriptors of the pediatric
hematology/oncology nurse….
The pediatric hematology/oncology nurse cares for, manages patient care and assists
patient/families with learning about the diagnosis and treatment. Conditions/Diagnosis
range from congenital to acquired with often unknown etiology and can be life
threatening and/or life changing/altering. She/he can work in the hospital
setting (inpatient unit and outpatient clinic), physician’s office, home
health care, radiation center, hospice/ palliative care service, and perform
skills and services such as assessment of physical and psychosocial needs,
administration of chemotherapy, biotherapy, immunosuppressants, teaching, supporting
the patient going through their treatment by performing such interventions
as administration medications to alleviate nausea/vomiting and pain, helping
a child/AYA with loss of hair (body image), administering blood/blood products
to alleviate anemia or thrombocytopenia, or supporting a patient through hospice/palliative
care.
So how do we get there?
As you launch your career as a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse you must
become a registered nurse (RN) by acquiring either an associate degree
in nursing (ADN) or a bachelors degree in nursing (BSN). It is advisable to
earn your BSN as it offers additional education in leadership and research
which will help you in this career (it is heavily grounded in research
and
utilizes leadership skills).
- Earn your bachelors degree in nursing (BSN).
- While working on your nursing
degree request to train on a pediatric hematology/oncology unit if available
to obtain experience/exposure to this population of patients.
- If possible
work as an extern or nursing assistant on a pediatric hematology/oncology
unit while in nursing school or during the summer to gain
experience/exposure
- Apply for an internship in pediatric hematology/oncology in the hospital
when
completing your degree in nursing.
- As a new nurse you may want to first work
in a general pediatric unit to gain experience caring for pediatric patients
and then work on a pediatric
hematology/oncology unit.
- Before working in outpatient areas, gain experience
in the inpatient setting to
help you develop knowledge and critical thinking skills which can then
help you in a more independent nursing role as the outpatient areas tend
to require.
- Search
the APHON (Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology
Nursing) career site for openings if unable to locate positions in local
areas.
- Join
APHON as your professional nursing organization as it offers:
- education for nurses (Foundations in pediatric hematology/oncology nursing
and PBMT courses and Pediatric chemotherapy/biotherapy administration) and
- education materials for patients/families (such as written information
about pediatric hematology/oncology diseases and medications),
- guidance in clinical practice (Evidence Based Practice),
- Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing and Newsletter “APHON
Counts”,
- annual national conference, and
- local chapter membership which allows for more education and networking
and an opportunity for you to become involved.
- Get certification, CPHON (certification
Pediatric hematology oncology nursing)
through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) once you
have worked as a pediatric hematology oncology nurse for at least 12 months.
- Another
way in which you can work as a pediatric hematology oncology nurse is
as an APN (Advanced practice nurse). There are two types of APN’s:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and
as Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (Pedi CNS). These roles require
further
education by acquiring a masters degree in nursing. The PNP/FNP performs
history/physical exams, assists with dx and treatment collaborating with
the attending physician,
may perform procedures such as bone marrow aspirations and lumbar punctures,
and has prescriptive authority. The Pedi CNS may also be able to function
as PNP (depends upon training) but has training as an educator, researcher,
clinical
practice expert and leader within a specialty and works with the health
care institution/program.
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