Q&A: Answering your Questions About Being a Pediatric Oncology Nurse!

[@TheNursingrocks]

When my mom was 38 years old she developed breast cancer. I remember visiting her in the hospital and I was only 8 years old at time. I decided at that age that I was going to become a nurse so I could help her and others. She way my “Why” for being the nurse I am today. She passed away 8 years ago but I’m thankful that I got to take care of her.

[@sarahsmith5180]

Honestly, just want to say thank you for what you do. I'm a pediatric cancer mom and the nurses we had during my son's treatment were an absolute God send. We would not have made it through without them. I know it's a tough job but I hope you know just how appreciated you are! Love, all cancer parents everywhere.

[@bekahford4783]

You are such an eloquent and kind-hearted woman! Thank you for being so passionate about your work and choosing the mindset that keeps an incredible nurse like you in the field. It's inspiring to see how real you are and open about how hard things can be, but also verbalizing that you feel lucky to have the problems you have compared to others. We're the same age and I've been following you since your college days, and I've always thought of you as a friend because we went through really similar things in the last few years. Thank you for being you, Kiara!

[@borntobeblonde16]

I’ve been a viewer for years and always admired how driven and hard working you are. My mom always spoke so highly of her oncology nurses, and I will forever have a special place in my heart for anyone in that field. The impact you have on patients lives is massive, and I can tell you their families will be forever grateful. Thank you for all that you do to add small moments of joy, even on their darkest days ❤

[@svalen6957]

As a stage 4 cancer patient, nurses and doctors are super heroes! They never get the amount of credit they deserve. They make sure we are taken care of, comfortable, and help us live a longer life. I love you all! Thank you so much! You are doing amazing Kiara!

[@rachthenurse]

I am an 8 year breast cancer survivor. The nurses who cared for me through all my treatment, like you, were such an inspiration! It made me realize that that’s what I wanted to do! I will graduate nursing school next week at the age of 51 and, though I am not going to work in oncology, I am so excited to start my new career. I have followed you for the longest time and I love your positive spirit. I always look forward to a new “Kiara” video. I have used them as rewards and study breaks to get me through an accelerated program. Thanks for the inspiration! You’re amazing!!

[@TheMorganGibson]

33 minute video of Kiara? This is like one of your longest videos! I am so excited to watch this :)

[@brendad940]

Thank you for what you do and for sharing Kiara. My 19 year old granddaughter is kidney transplant and now dialysis again patient and good, emphatic nurses are literally life changing. Much love to you from this Grandma in Wilsonville Oregon

[@y0hanna]

I recognize so much of what you say in your video. I work with adults who have leukemia. Right now it feels like we've faced far too many obstacles and losses, it feels like we'll never see the light at the end of the tunnel. But despite this, I LOVE my job in the cancer field. The connection you get with the patients during their time in the hospital. How you get to be a part of their fight! Its really special!! :D

[@Fam494]

Having a 33 minute Kiara to watch on my Thanksgiving break is amazing! Happy Thanksgiving Kiara sending love to your family!

[@SkyeH13]

Love your videos Kiara! I’m about to go into my final semester of nursing school and I love your passion and positivity for this field! 🤍 you’re an amazing nurse!!

[@bekahford4783]

My grandpa battled leukemia for many years and ended up passing away on December 22nd, 2018. He was seen at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis and his medical team was just phenomenal. They helped him through chemo, dozens of blood transfusions, and a bone marrow transplant. In the last couple years of his life, he made a lot of "thankful" themed Facebook posts and a lot of them mentioned his nurses. Every time I think about my grandpa, I remember his nurses as well and thank the universe there are people like them and you out there who are passionate about helping people in this capacity.

[@olimpiahillmore]

you are such beautiful and thoughtful girl. I became emotional towards the end seeing how impactful you are and how you are helping patients. you are incredible and deserve all the blessings you get I’m grateful to be here with you! This was so wholesome. Genuinely hope you to have the ability to join on one of your nursing job future to connect this wholeheartedly with your patients. we love you Kiara💛❤

[@bohemianlilac]

Watching my mom go from a completely shattered left side in a major car wreck at 84 years old to walking on her own, driving like normal and decorating for Christmas without having to be in a wheelchair or relying on a walker was insane. Solidified my “why” for going into the medical field.

[@annettexu1456]

You are so inspiring Kiara! I’ve been watching since you were a student and I was also a nursing student at the time and now I’m also a paediatric nurse! Always so happy and inspiring to see such passionate nurses like you out there ❤

[@meelissaroos]

I battled leukemia when I was 4-6 years old and I still remember how much of a difference the nurses made. I loved going back to visit them when I had to get a check-up after I was cancer free. Appreciate you and what you do! 🩷

[@tvd991]

your patients are so lucky to have you, Kiara!

[@elinadeshpande8911]

I was literally just getting ready for night shift as a Peds Hem/Onc CNA/PCT when this video popped up! You are such an inspiration Kiara, loved this video so much :)

[@TiffTalksNY]

My grandma had lung cancer and my grandpa had dementia. Both my grandparents (dad’s parents) passed away. I worked in the nursing home that my grandpa was in the past two and a half years because I truly love him and wanted to help my dad through that difficult time. I smile knowing I tried my best to take care of him. But I want to do something for myself. Thanks to you, I truly want to transfer to pediatrics because I love kids and I love helping people. Just hearing you mention that you draw little smiley faces on kids’ cups of beverages makes me smile. You are amazing 😊❤️

[@hollylafrance4986]

Kiara, it is so wonderful to see how passionate you are about this field. I watched your Nursing journey all the way through and it is so amazing to see your progress and how happy you are now! You inspired me to go back to Nursing school this Fall, and I am about to finish my first semester. 3 more to go! Your videos really keep me going. I feel so called to the Oncology world and I pray that I will work out for me as well as it has for you. Thank you for inspiring me & bringing JOY to something that can be so difficult. I hope I can do the same one day.🤍

[@niakibler3552]

LOVE ALL UR VIDEOS, I’m a hs senior and want to be nurse too!! U introduced me into the oncology field and I think that’s what i want to go into! ❤❤❤❤

[@WesleyCoughlan]

Loved your Q&A vlog, Kiara! Wishing you & your family a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow from myself & my family & the rest of your fans from Canada!

[@carlyfraser9023]

My dad passed away from cancer so cancer has a special place in my heart

[@Courtney-Alice-Gargani]

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

[@deloracomfort8960]

I wish somehow the person who hired could watch this. That person would be so proud of you. You go girl!!

[@KiaraMadisen]

@@deloracomfort8960 awww thank you!!! 💓

[@soxrok09]

Starting nursing school after quite a long 12 year journey back to it (😅) in January. I wanted to be a nurse because I lost my friend in high school to osteosarcoma. It wasn’t the right timing out of HS but here I am. I would still love to be a pediatric oncology nurse. We’ll see where this journey takes me. 😊

[@Darklink7884]

If it's not too late, I have a question for you and it just came to my mind after I got the notification. Would you be open to the idea of switching specialties as a learning opportunity in the future (e.g. gynecology)?

[@PaigeMeredith]

I work as a BMT/Hematology Child Life Specialist! So much love to you! Absolutely love my nurses and love how much they do for the kids ❤️ best teammates. I wasn't sure, do you work with child life at all?

[@ervinsmoviecorner8748]

The final week of November, Kiara!

[@ruuuuby4531]

this really helped me!! i'm a senior in high school and i want to be a pediatric oncology/hematology nurse :)) i've been torn between that and a few others (picu, nicu, peds er, l&d)

[@Randorandom232]

Congratulations 🎉

[@TheMorganGibson]

Wait do y'all not have a certain color of scrubs you have to wear because I thought at most hospitals they had like a "dress code" for each unit like er wears one color, med-surg wears another color, radiology wears one color, and so on.

[@Darklink7884]

Also you've been getting prettier in each new video that you post.

[@miapestano766]

My pediatric clinical rotation is on a hem/onc floor and I had adorable moments with the kids. I had a patient who reminded me of my youngest cousin and we bonded over "The Costco Guys" and another patient who had an "initiation" for everyone who was taking care of them aka shooting a nerf gun at you whenever possible🥰

[@corinam2134]

Hello Kiara, I love watching your videos, and have some questions for you! I would love to become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse, just like you. I have some question regarding that. First do you have any advice on how to get there, and what helped you. Is there any courses you would recommend taking before going to university. Second, what are the main duties you do as a nurse. Do you do more paperwork, or do you work more patients. I really hope you will answer these these question. You are so awesome, and my role model!!

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Good morning Kiara how are you happy Tuesday morning to you and I hope you having amazing day and you are amazing supporter happy fall day

[@glowgirl16]

I’m graduating high school a year early and I’ll be just turning 17 when I graduate. I wasn’t homeschooled, I beat the public school system in CA. Though, I am only applying for direct bachelors nursing degrees outside of CA. I have already submitted all my applications and haven’t been rejected from any schools, so far I have 5 acceptances!(I have 7 now!)Thank you SO much Kiara for your incredibly insightful videos. The inside information I have been able to receive from your content has not only giving me the confidence to graduate from high school early, but to choose a career I know I can achieve and be successful in! Thanks a ton! ❤ - Lana

[@valerieohara3649]

Congratulations

[@hannahliles5397]

I’m so glad you posted this! I got denied from 2 new grad positions at “enter your hospital here because I know you don’t advertise it” just because of the amount of applicants there were. Gonna get some more applications out because it is my absolute dream hospital!

[@user-yo7fx2xn8m]

Not Nursing school but a medical faculty- for the past 10 years or more.

[@KiaraMadisen]

Wow you go! I’m sure you have a super unique perspective 👏

[@josealfonsosilvalatorre1826]

Great

[@VideoGameRoom32]

Do you plan like a month in advance what kind of videos you're going to make? Or it's just out of the blue?