With the unit newly opening in May of 2022, Oncology 5 has worked through the hardships that come with opening a brand-new unit. Experienced nurses took on the task of training all new graduates & new hires, all while adapting to a new work environment themselves. Similarly, these same new graduates stayed equally as patient and flexible throughout their training while adjusting. Oncology 5 has been through the hardships that come with taking care of chemotherapy patients and hospice patients alike. They work through these hardships together, relying heavily on their coworkers and peers to make it through those mentally and physically challenging shifts. The nurses collaborate well with members of the interdisciplinary team & execute patient care professionally and with compassion. With this strong team effort, Oncology 5 is able to care for both acute med-surg and PCU level patients as well as provide excellent, empathetic end-of-life/comfort care to those with chronic illnesses.

In a few short months that the Medical Surgical Oncology 5 unit has been open, I have witnessed firsthand the most compassionate care given by a group of the most extraordinary nurses. Being part of a brand-new unit is both exciting and challenging. The excitement of the new unit, new rooms, new equipment, and more space than any nurse could ever hope for. Along with that came the uncertainty of what this unit would look and feel like.

The first patient we received was a retired RN with metastatic disease. This patient never lost hope or her will to live even though the staff knew her prognosis was not good. They never stopped encouraging her and treated her like a member of their own family. Whether just washing her hair or taking her outside for a brief moment of fresh air, she was always treated with compassion and kindness. This patient spent two months on the unit and when it was time for her to transition to hospice it was difficult for the staff to see her go as they hoped they could be with her at the end of her journey. She passed peacefully the following day after she left the Oncology 5 unit.

Time and again, these exceptional nurses develop relationships not just with the patients, but with their family members as well. They provide emotional support to help patients and their families face their diagnosis often times unexpected. The staff understands when patients become angry, they remain calm and acknowledge the patients’ emotions. When patients on Oncology 5 reach the end of their journey they are treated with the utmost respect and dignity by all members of the team. It takes compassion, empathy, and resilience to be a great oncology nurse. The staff of Oncology 5 surpasses these qualities and more, they are truly deserving of the DAISY Team Award.