Why pediatric oncology nursing

Now more than ever, patients and families are seeking virtual care from their healthcare teams. Derived from a comprehensive literature review of current best telepractice standards in pediatric oncology, the POGO Nursing Telepractice Guidance Document for Pediatric Oncology Nurses supports nurses in delivering safe and effective telepractice care to children and youth with cancer and their families. The document offers symptom assessment and guidance for constipation, diarrhea, chicken pox exposure, nausea and vomiting, fever, mucositis and acute pain.

It also covers telepractice communication principles and techniques, call closure, communication challenges and more! If you wish to download and save a local copy of this document, we recommend you regularly check the version posted here www.

POGO welcomes nursing students interested in community placements related to pediatric oncology! There have been a number of challenges, rewards and surprises related to this new job. Here are some of the highlights I'd like to share with you:. I think the biggest reward from my job thus far has been the inspiration I receive from my patients. Many of these kids continue to smile and laugh even when they're not feeling well—in fact, many of the younger ones still want to play!

This has taught me to be more grateful, and since I've been working with these patients, I've noticed that I complain less and look at life differently. I've found that leaving work behind when I'm at home is tougher than I thought. This challenge is not a bad one. In some ways, it's a reward too. I find myself thinking about my kids at the hospital all the time.

I wonder how they're doing, how their treatments are going and whether they're having a good day or bad day. Before I became a nurse, I thought I'd be able to distinguish more between work and home life, but I feel connected to my patients, so in a sense, I take them with me when I leave.

I HATE cancer as much as any one person ever could, but cancer doesn't win--ever. So, every time I have the privilege of caring for a child, I do my best to find the normal in a time that is so very not normal. That time is not only filled with rigorous chemotherapy, blood products, antibiotics and other life-giving medical care. It also consists of Hello Kitty tattoos, nail polish, race cars, Wii competitions and time spent coloring.

The goal is to carry on the dream of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. Life is precious and worth living to the fullest. I cannot imagine doing anything else. I am committed to these families. When they walk through our doors, they become family--and families stick together. Candice Duffy has been a pediatric oncology nurse for 11 years at St. About CURE. About Advertise Contact TargetedOnc. Why I'm a pediatric oncology nurse. September 26, Latest News.