For many, summer means holidays, relaxation, and a break from the everyday routine. But in oncology nursing – especially when you're at the beginning of your career – the rhythm doesn’t stop. Patients still come for treatments, check-ups, and hospital stays. Cancer doesn’t take a summer break, and neither do we.
For us, early career cancer nurses, summer can bring additional challenges. With colleagues on annual leave, smaller teams, and longer shifts, it often feels like we’re needed more than ever – both by our patients and by each other. This is why summer is also the perfect time to pause and reflect on an important question:
How do we care for others without forgetting to care for ourselves?
When there’s less staff – but more needs.
In July and August, oncology wards often operate with reduced teams. This means more responsibility, more teamwork, and more independence – which can be both challenging and empowering. We quickly learn how to manage pressure, make decisions, and support each other. But alongside that growth comes fatigue.
In these moments, the small things become vital:
- A hot coffee shared with a colleague after a long night shift
- A supportive team that understands when you need a minute of silence after delivering bad news
- A patient’s smile and a quiet “thank you” that brings meaning back into a hard day
Self-care isn’t selfish – it’s the foundation of good care
No matter how dedicated we are to our work, we can’t truly care for others unless we care for ourselves first. For me, this means allowing myself moments of rest – physical and emotional. Sometimes it’s a walk after work, a quiet moment with a book, or a conversation with a colleague. Sometimes, it’s simply reminding myself that it’s okay to say, “I need a break.”
As early career nurses, we’re still learning where our limits are and how to protect them. That’s not a weakness – it’s a sign of growing professionalism. Summer brings connection, too
Despite the challenges, summer also brings something special: slower moments that allow deeper connections with patients. When the hospital is quieter, there’s more time to talk, to listen, to see what’s beyond the diagnosis – the human side of cancer care.
One summer morning, I sat with a patient waiting for her chemotherapy. Instead of discussing side effects, we talked about lavender, the sea, and the nature. That conversation didn’t appear in her medical records – but it meant everything.
Final thoughts
Summer in oncology is different – demanding, quieter, but also full of moments that remind us why we chose this path.
To all my colleagues spending this summer alongside their patients: don’t forget yourselves. Rest comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a weekend off, sometimes a smile, and sometimes it’s simply recognizing that you’re doing your best. Because while we care for others, we deserve to care for ourselves, too.