What inspired you to enter the oncology field?

The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA (TON) asked its online reading community to share their inspiration for entering the oncology field. We received many responses, which made it clear that those involved in the field are passionate and caring about the profession. Often, the 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 TON, thank you for all you do to help your patients. Below, we share with you excerpts from several of the responses.

About 30 years ago, when our first medical oncologist came to our community, he changed the way patients were put in control of their care. I remember when families were told of a patient’s diagnosis of cancer and the patient was not told. He discussed directly with the patient the diagnosis and the plan of care, and they made the decisions, not the family. About that same time, my own father was diagnosed with colon cancer, and, as we all know, when a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it affects the whole family, not just that individual.

My younger sister was diagnosed with NHL. I took a leave of absence and helped her through chemo/XRT. I decided to return to school and become an RN so I could make a difference in cancer patients’ lives.

The awesome patients.

I worked nights as a new grad on a medical floor and spent time with a young Mexican woman named Maria with a brain tumor, who liked me and invited me to come visit her at her home. I knew she was not going to ever go home again. I had to help her right then.

I survived 2 cancers.

The intellectual stimulation of being on the forefront of cancer research, and the obvious calling of God as He positioned me.

While doing rotations as a nursing student through various units in the hospital, I was inspired by the relationship between not only the nurses but the nurses and the physicians. I had not witnessed this in other areas of the hospital. That, and the close bond that comes with a cancer patient, even on a professional level, is the best reward I have found.