The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA recently asked its online reading community to share their inspiration for entering the oncology field. The response was overwhelming. It is abundantly clear that those involved in the field are passionate, caring, and extremely optimistic. Repeatedly responses highlighted a single person who inspired a career choice and a desire to help those living with cancer. On behalf of all of us at The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA, thank you for all you do to help your patients. Below, we share with you excerpts from several of the responses.
The Patients. I am and continue to be amazed by the strength and courage of my patients. Every day I am rewarded with stories of their lives, and I realize it is more and more about living with rather than dying from cancer. Pamela G. Lincoln, Vermont
In February 1992, my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She died 4 months later. I was working in a large academic center in the internal medicine clinic and was asked by the cancer center nurse manager if I wanted to work in their clinic. I felt drawn to the cancer center because of my mother’s illness and felt as if I could truly connect with these brave patients and their families.
Catherine B. Vienna, Virginia
In the mid-1980s, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with rectosigmoid colon cancer. After surgery, she had chemo-radiation. Around the same time, the hospital where I worked was building a cancer center. I applied for a position as a chemotherapy-certified nurse to work in the radiation department. After 40 years of nursing, the courage I see every day in our patients continues to be an inspiration to me!
Vicki D. Fort Worth, Texas
A coworker once stated: “The nicest people get cancer.” I have found this to be true. I have learned as much from my cancer patients about love, life, courage, and laughter as I have from anyone else who has touched my life. Julie H. Marshall, Michigan
When I went to apply for my first position as an RN, the nursing recruiter asked me what patient population touched me the most and I immediately answered, “the cancer patients.” I started my first job as an RN as the first new grad on a bone marrow transplant unit and have never looked back. I love working in oncology and firmly believe that there is something special about cancer patients that all touch my heart and soul. Deborah L. Seattle, Washington
I was blessed with 5 children. My youngest was a boy named Larry. A month after his second birthday he was diagnosed with leukemia and was hospitalized for induction chemotherapy. He went into remission for 3 months. When he relapsed, we were told that the only way he could survive was a bone marrow transplant. None of his 4 siblings were a match, so we did autologous bone marrow transplant. He spent 3 months in Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. In December, he relapsed again and we were told that there was nothing else they could do for him. He died January 28, three months after his third birthday. I was naturally devastated as was my whole family. I was working as a teller at a bank. I could not bring myself to go back to work. I kept thinking about the oncology nurses who took care of my son. I decided that I wanted to go back to school and become a nurse. So at the age of 42, I enrolled in college and got an associate’s degree in nursing. I worked 2 years in medical surgery then transferred to oncology. I retired May 31 of this year after 18 years of working in the outpatient chemotherapy unit. Losing my precious 3-year-old son to cancer inspired me to become an oncology nurse.
Lucinda F. Las Vegas, Nevada
When I was in college, my best friend was getting married. Her fiancé, diagnosed with colon cancer, wanted to marry her before he passed away. They married 3 days before he died. I was inspired by his spirit.
Laurin C. New Boston, New Hampshire
It was 1986, and I was working at The Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a nursing technician while in The Jewish Hospital School of Nursing. The unit I worked on became more “specialized” by being designated the oncology unit. At the same time, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. My mother’s battle with head and neck cancer made me a better nurse. I lost Mumsy 2 years ago, and I know I made her proud that I became an Oncology Certified Nurse. But SHE was my inspiration every day. Gail D. Cincinnati, Ohio
While working as a hospice nurse, the patients I cared for at the end of their lives inspired me to make a difference for patients that are actively being treated. So I reversed my role from end-of-life care to pursue oncology nursing.
Eileen D. New Haven, Connecticut
Every patient I have met has added an element of substance to my life. Even when they lose their fight, I benefit from helping them be all they can be while they are alive. I have met excellent nurses who inspire and humble me with their devotion to their patients. S. Gayle M. Phoenix, Arizona
I started my nursing career in a skilled nursing facility that took in patients with hospice care, if they had cancer. I had to research how to care for cancer patients, finding very little information available then. When I changed jobs, a position was available on the oncology unit. I knew this was my chance to learn how to help people through their cancer experience. I have not regretted working with oncology patients for the past 24 years. Maureen B. Crofton, Maryland
I floated to an oncology floor. I was with an oncology nurse when she was helping a young woman dying of cancer. The woman was telling her about her dying wishes. I was so taken by the way this nurse put her own feelings aside and helped this patient. When I started on the oncology floor, she was my mentor.I credit her with all that I have learned.
Theresa W. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
My father was diagnosed with non- Hodgkin lymphoma when I was in nursing school. I was so impressed by the way he was taken care of by the nurses. They really seemed to care about their patients and gave from their hearts. I wanted to be able to let oncology patients and their family members feel loved like we did.
Lisa G. Frankfort, Illinois
I performed IV therapy for many years, giving chemotherapy and getting close to our patients with cancer. I think my real inspiration came with the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma in a dear friend from back home in 1986, and her untimely death 6 months later. The realization that cancer took her life stimulated me to do more for my patients. A move to a new city and hospital a few years later resulted in my working on an oncology unit, getting my certification and, most of all, giving patient care to all those assigned to me. Nancy L. Cedar Park, Texas
It was after I experienced breast cancer that it was clear that in my role and with my story I could offer hope and credibility to support others on their breast cancer journey. Marsha S. Flint, Michigan
As a high school freshman, my older sister was diagnosed with stage IIIB Hodgkin lymphoma. She achieved remission and survived her disease. Watching the human connection between the oncology nurse and my sister and mother inspired me. Over 20 years later, they still exchange Christmas cards. Seeing the miracle of that bond firsthand changed my plans forever. I knew this was my calling. Erin T. Lone Jack, Missouri
I realize that my patients have become my teachers...teachers on life and what really matters. I’ve learned how to LISTEN; I’ve learned the importance of having (and how to have) conversations about things that truly matter; I’ve learned to prioritize my life, to take care of my personal relationships in order to perhaps minimize the regrets and the need for reconciliations; I’ve learned how to be thankful for the small things. Our patients repeatedly tell us how much we do for them, how much we mean to them, but the secret to how we oncology nurses can do what we do lies in what our patients leave with us. We receive their gifts of grace and humility and apply them to others we serve. It is a circle of love. Robin A. Newport News, Virginia
In 1990 I was a new nurse working on a women’s surgical unit. One evening I came on the 3:00 to 11:00 shift and one of my patients was a 30- year-old who had come in through the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. Exploratory abdominal surgery found ovarian cancer, and she had been started on her first dose of cisplatin that afternoon. She had not had any chemotherapy teaching, and she was scared to death. I did not know much about chemotherapy and its side effects at that point, so I spent a few days educating myself and the patient and finding her literature to take home. I decided at that point to learn all I could about cancer, chemotherapy, and side effect management to prevent another patient from being started on a treatment without the proper education. I eventually went back to school to become an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist and have loved it ever since. Belinda R. Newport News, Virginia
Our most sincere gratitude to all who participated in this survey.
To sign up for our newsletter or print publications, please enter your contact information below.
