 | Hematology/Oncology (8 East)
Nurses on this 18-bed hematology and medical oncology unit provide care for cancer patients, surgical oncology patients and those with an ongoing need for cancer care, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hospice. In addition, they work closely with the palliative care team which strives to improve the quality of life for patients who have uncontrollable pain or advanced, life-limiting illnesses. That team helps patients and their loved ones articulate goals, develop a plan of care and talk through grief, loss and other feelings.
Multi-disciplinary teamwork is key on this floor, and nurses regularly round with hospitalists and other physicians so that all are well-informed about the patient's plan of care. New nurses on the unit receive specialized training. They are assigned a designated preceptor, and orientation includes a two-day class sanctioned by the Ontological Nursing Society (
www.ons.org
) in which they learn about chemotherapy and other cancer treatment modalities. In addition, the new nurse spends one day in the Regions IV infusion room learning about the administration of chemotherapy. This training is continued on the nursing unit with the new nurse's preceptor. Many nurses on the hematology and medical oncology unit have received their oncology certification, and nurses are encouraged to pursue pain management certification.
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