Nurses Wear Many Hats

This week in ISM I went on my third mentor visit where we were stationed with the younger patients on the oncology and hematology floor. It was amazing to be able to experience the different environments that nurses are placed in, and to learn that not every shift is the same.

The night that I had my visit the nurses collaboratively were having to come up with a game plan concerning a family that had been giving them a hard time. I had talked about earlier this year that night nurses have to wear many different hats because social work and child life specialists are not able to be there during the night. The nurses had to plan on hoe they were going to treat the patient to the best that they know, despite the family’s attitudes. I learned that even though the family is overreacting, to never get involved because nurses are only there to follow the treatment plan and care for the patient.

In the time that I shadowed my mentor I also was able to learn about chemotherapy and see two patients receive the treatment orally and through a central line. I learned most importantly that the timing of the treatment is everything and the chemo cannot be pumped for longer that the time set.