Oncology Nurse Job Description - Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming an Oncology Nurse

Stepping outside the usual boundaries of healthcare to become an oncology nurse is both rewarding and challenging. Oncology nurses care for cancer patients and generally have a great deal of responsibility within their workplaces. Oncology nursing is often a difficult field, as nurses may work with terminally ill patients and their families.

Job Description

Oncology nurses work with patients suffering from all types of cancer. An oncology nurse cares for patients undergoing or recovering from cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. Oncology nurses are part of a team effort, as oncologists often closely supervise oncology nurses in the care and treatment of cancer patients. As cancer affects people of all ages and backgrounds, oncology nurses may work with children, adults or seniors.
 
Like many specialized fields, oncology nursing requires a wide area of competence and expertise. Here are some of the duties regularly performed by oncology nurses:

  • Help administer chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
 

  • Monitor patients with low white blood cell counts, as well as any patients that may need consistent care or regular treatments.
 

  • Manage pain of chronically ill patients.
 

  • Educate patients and families on the affects of cancer, treatment options and what to expect from their diagnosis.
 

Oncology nursing is further narrowed down by the nature of the cancer being treated. Each type of cancer demands very specific, specialized treatment. This diverse field allows nurses to pick from a variety of specializations, such as:

  • bone marrow transplants
  • breast oncology
  • chemotherapy and radiation
  • GYN oncology
  • palliative care
  • surgical oncology.
 

Salary Guide

The salary of an oncology nurse can vary widely, especially for nurses in advanced oncology practices. The median annual salary for oncology nurses is about $53,000, with a starting average of about $35,000. Advanced oncology nurses earned from $60,000 to $125,000 annually.

Education and Training

Nurses need to be certified beyond their RN license to become oncology nurses. To work in advanced practices, a Master's degree is often required. Many schools and online institutions offer licensing of oncology nurses. Some of the certifications necessary work in oncology include a degree as an:
  • Advanced Oncology Nurse Certification
  • Advanced Oncology Nurse Practitioner Certification
  • Advanced Oncology Nurse Specialist Certification
  • Pediatric Oncology Nurse Certification (general requirement)
  • Oncology Nurse Certification (general requirement).
 

Prior Work Experience

Hospitals and clinics usually like to see one to three years of experience in the specialty for which you are applying. For instance, if you want to be a surgical oncology nurse, some experience in a Med/Surgical unit will likely be required. If you are applying for an advanced practice nurse position, greater experience is usually required. If you are wondering how to become an oncology nurse, you may want to volunteer at a hospital or a hospice provider to ensure that this field is right for you.

Career Advancement

Advanced practice nursing is a big step up for oncology nurses, as is the position of oncology nurse practitioner. Practitioners go beyond advanced practice care by evaluating, diagnosing and treating cancer patients. Since they can prescribe drugs, experience in pharmacotherapeutics is often required to become an oncology nurse practitioner.

Oncology Nursing Associations

  • American Society of Pain Management Nurses
  • Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APON)
  • International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC)
  • Oncology Nursing Society
  • Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists (SOHN).
 
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