Oncology nursing is a subset of nursing that specializes in caring for cancer patients. Patients of all ages may be seen health care professionals who specialize in this field. Within this field, pediatric oncology nursing is a subspecialty.
Nursing as a profession was recognized for the first time in the early 1970s. Doctors used to perform surgery to remove tumors from patients diagnosed with cancer as the primary treatment option. The patient would be cared for nurses both before and after the procedure.
The role of the oncologist became more important as cancer patient survival rates improved as a result of improved cancer research. Patients and their doctors collaborated on a treatment plan, and the registered nurse was an integral part of the team. This shift in cancer treatment has given nurses a larger role, and oncology nursing is now one of the many fields in which they can work.
Oncology nursing may entail the nurse directly caring for patients. Some nurses in this field work in more senior positions, such as in the administration of a cancer-care facility. Other areas of employment for oncology nurses include education and research. They might be asked to share their knowledge of cancer and its treatment with other employees, family members, or the general public.
Oncology nursing also entails conducting research. It’s possible that the oncology nurse will be asked to identify issues or problems that could be the subject of research. The oncology nurse can incorporate the findings of a research study into policies for treating cancer patients once they are released.
Becoming a certified oncology nurse entails a number of steps. The first is to finish an undergraduate degree program as well as the prerequisites for becoming a registered nurse. The nurse would take continuing education courses and gain on-the-job experience working with cancer patients to become certified as an oncology specialist.
Oncology nursing is another field in which nurse practitioners can work. These nurses have completed all of the requirements for a Master’s degree in nursing. Several hundred hours of clinical work under the supervision of experienced staff members are part of the requirements for becoming certified as an oncology nurse practitioner.
Some states require certification for people who want to work in the field of oncology nursing. Others recommend but do not require cancer nurses to be certified. Your local professional organization may be able to provide you with information on the requirements in your area.