Article

Early Choices Can Make the Difference
Colleen L. Corish, RN, MN, OCN^®
Clinical Services Director, Oncology and Medical/Surgical Services Medical University of South Carolina and the Hollings Cancer Center

I was very fortunate in college. At the School of Nursing at the University of Virginia, we were offered the opportunity to take a didactic course on oncology nursing. I firmly believe that this course was the cornerstone to a career in oncology nursing that has spanned 20 years. I also had the opportunity to participate in clinicals in the oncology setting while I was a third- and fourth-year nursing student.

Corish with newer oncology nurses at the 2004 ONS Rising Stars reception.

After graduating with my BSN, I worked for five years in various hospitals and settings that had a primary focus on the oncology population. During this time, I learned primarily about medical and hematology oncology and bone marrow transplantation. After five years, I enrolled in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Fortunately, the school offered a clinical nurse specialist tract in oncology nursing. I was a member of a very small class. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to eventually work in management and administration. But I also knew that, as a young manager, if I didn’t have clinical competence and credibility, the staff would not believe in me. So, I varied my clinical settings in administrative, hospice, and clinical settings. These opportunities gave me a well-rounded experience. During this time, I had good mentors and bad preceptors. I learned to be independent and seek out “unofficial” leaders to guide and assist me.

If you are a student in undergraduate or graduate school who is interested in oncology nursing, I would recommend that you (a) develop strong relationships with positive mentors and role models, (b) attempt to achieve a broad base of experiences in oncology nursing before deciding on a focus, and (c) use the resources available through ONS.

ONS has become a wonderful resource for students at all levels. I have been a member of the Steering Council for the past three years, which has focused on projects for younger, newer nurses as well as students. Now, so much more is available to students in ONS than was available to me 20 years ago. So, take advantage of all of your resources, choose your mentors wisely, and go for it!