Bringing Families Together While Fighting Cancer

An Oncology nurse provides comfort to her patients and their family members during a challenging time.

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, we spotlight the role of an oncology nurse who supports patients and families during difficult moments. We also cover a new health data-tracking system and share available jobs.

But first—we see you, night nurses!

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Ashley Engles, RN, BSN, Oncology Nurse

What I do for work

I am an oncology nurse specializing in surgical and gynecological oncology. I care for patients undergoing surgeries, including hysterectomies and HIPEC surgeries, which make up a significant portion of our cases. I manage post-operative care and am chemotherapy certified, allowing me to administer chemotherapy and coordinate with oncology doctors and their teams. We also provide hospice care for patients facing end-of-life decisions and support their families, ensuring we help everyone involved. It’s a really special field to be in.

How I got here

I got my associate's degree in Arts at Carroll Community College and then my Bachelor's in Nursing (BSN) at Notre Dame in Maryland. Six months after working in oncology, you’re allowed to take the ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Course. It is an online, self-paced course, and you must obtain 80% or higher to become certified. At the moment, I am studying to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and will graduate in 2026.

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Featured Jobs

🩺 Registered Nurse - R5 Oncology, The University of Vermont Health Network Plattsburgh, NY ​Apply Now​ →​

☤ Registered Nurse - Ambulatory Medical Oncology, The University of Vermont Health Network Malone, NY ​Apply Now​ →​

♡ Registered Nurse - Inpatient Oncology, The University of Vermont Health Network Burlington, VT ​Apply Now​ →​

💉 Oncology Clinic- RN - Nurse Clinician, Saint Luke's Hospital Kansas City, MO ​Apply Now​ →​

🩹 RN Oncology, Piedmont Medical Center Rock Hill, SC ​Apply Now​ →​

🩸 Oncology - Travel Nurse RN, Host Healthcare Asheville, NC ​Apply Now​ →​

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More on Ashley Engles

A day in my life

We begin our 12-hour shifts on the floor at 7 am. On days when patients are receiving chemotherapy, we start by checking labs and calculating each patient's Body Surface Area (BSA), which is essential for determining the appropriate dosage. We verify that patients have given consent for chemotherapy, ensuring they understand the procedure, what it entails, and the potential side effects as explained by their doctor.

Next, we coordinate with the inpatient chemotherapy pharmacy to prepare their pre-medication and chemotherapy drugs. By midday, we typically start administering chemotherapy, which can take hours for standard treatments. Some patients may require continuous chemotherapy, which could take a number of days, so the timing varies based on individual needs.

In the afternoon, we begin the discharge process for our surgical patients. Our GYN patients may return if there are any post-surgical complications.

What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding?

For me, it's about creating relationships, not just with the patient but also with their family. Being in oncology can be a really hard time for a lot of people, especially young people and those who are newly diagnosed, and it's important to focus on making sure everybody's comfortable. For me, it's all about making people smile. I believe that in these hard times, laughter really helps bring the family together to remember the good times.

My self-care routine (or what I do for fun, or to relax)

I love spending time with my family, especially my husband and our dogs. We enjoy traveling and reading together, and I always make time for my spa days.

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Headlines in Healthcare

X-ray Treatment for Benign Conditions

U.S. radiation oncologists are offering low-dose radiation therapy to treat non-cancerous inflammatory conditions. Further studies are needed to determine the risk to younger populations.

New Health Data Tracking System

The Trump administration proposes a voluntary system to link personal medical and wellness data across private apps and health systems. Patient advocates and ethicists worry that the data could be used.

COVID-19 vaccine policy changes

As COVID-19 transmission ramps up in the U.S., recent changes to federal vaccine guidance have left many Americans confused about the latest policies.

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Meet the author:
​Renee DLamini
(RN, BSN, Writer)

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