Balancing Chemo Nursing and New Motherhood

From 4 a.m. pumping to a 12-hour shift; a progressive care nurse shares her story

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses, for nurses. This week, we follow a progressive care and chemo-certified nurse navigating life as a new mom—early mornings, 12-hour shifts, and a carefully balanced routine that makes it all work. We also share the latest jobs, and cover blocks to HHS changes to childhood vaccines, a Salmonella outbreak linked to moringa powder, and how Costco is helping make IVF treatment more affordable.

But first, raise your hand if this is you...

Featured Jobs

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RN - Sheldon Medical Center - PRN, Sanford Health

Adrian, MN

$33.5 - $44.5/hour

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RN - Medical Intermediate, FT Nights, Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City

Kansas City, MO

$12,500 sign on bonus available

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RN - Infection Prevention Specialist - FT Days - LTC - SF Village, Good Samaritan

Sioux Falls, SD

$31.00 - $49.50/hour

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Home Health RN Case Manager, CenterWell Home Health

Independence, MO

$77,200 - $106,200

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RN Residency Program- Medical Surgical, Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City

Chillicothe, MO

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RN Residency, Medical Intermediate - FT Nights, Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City

Lees Summit, MO

$12,500 sign on bonus available

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Nurse Spotlight: Angie Ruiz-Calayag RN, BSN

What I do for work

I work at the hospital on a floor that combines medical-surgical, telemetry, step-down and oncology patients. We are the only chemo infusing nurses at the hospital, so I’m trained as a progressive care nurse and also as a chemo nurse. I work part-time, 2 days per week, and commute an hour each way (despite having moved far away!) because I love the unit I work on.

How I got here

My mom worked at the same hospital for 10 years and I always knew I wanted to work there because she had such a great experience. I first started working there as a patient care assistant during nursing school. Once it came time to apply to a new-grad RN program, my boss told me she really wanted to hire me on as a nurse on their floor and I’ve been there ever since

Headlines in Healthcare

Judge blocks changes to childhood vaccines schedule

On Monday, a federal judge temporarily blocked health officials from implementing a revised childhood vaccination schedule, stopping changes proposed earlier this year by the HHS. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely broke federal procedures when he changed the panel of experts who made the recommendations, ABC News reports. A lawsuit was initially filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics last year, and health officials in 30 states have rejected at least some of the new recommendations.

Salmonella outbreak in moringa capsules

As of February, the CDC and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of seven Salmonella infections linked to Rosabella moringa powder sold on Amazon, TikTok Shop, Shein, and eBay. Experts note that this is an extensively drug-resistant strain of Salmonella, meaning if antibiotics are needed, it may not be treatable with commonly recommended antibiotics. Across the seven states with reported cases, there have been 7 cases, 3 hospitalizations, and 0 deaths.

Costco launches program to lower IVF cost for members

Costco is launching a new program that aims to make IVF treatment more affordable for those hoping to start a family. They have a new partnership with health care platform Sesame and IVI RMA North America that will allow members to buy certain fertility drugs at discounted prices, helping cut the price by up to 80%, ABC News reports.

More on Angie

A day in my life

On a typical work day for me, I wake up at 4am, have breakfast while I pump milk for my baby before I get ready to leave by 5am. I make the drive to my mom’s house near the hospital to have breakfast with her and drop the baby off. I work a full 12-hour day, stopping to visit my mom again who packs me dinner to-go which I eat with my husband at home. I never work 2 days in a row, and on my days off my I spend the morning alone with the baby while my husband is live on YouTube for 2 hours. Afterwards, while he spends time with the baby, I go alone to the gym before we switch for his turn at the gym and I spend time going to library, park or shopping with the baby. When my husband gets home, we all make lunch together and walk our dogs before he goes back to work and I make dinner. Bedtime for the baby is 6pm and every Friday we have our movie night at home.

My self-care routine

My self care and relaxing routine is all the same for me. I HAVE to move my body. Working out is non-negotiable for me and I feel lucky to be married to someone who feels the same. I always finish my gym routine by going to the steam room and sauna. Because it’s hot and wet in there, I never take electronics with me and it ends up being 30 minutes every day of just me alone with my thoughts. It takes a lot of work to disconnect from electronics and I really appreciate that designated time for no screens.

Share your story & be entered to win

As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.

An image of author Katie Scoggins is pictured.

Meet the author:
Katie Scoggins
(RN, BSN & Health Writer)

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