How to become an oncology nurse
Written by聽Morganne Skinner
This article was reviewed by Raelene Brooks, Dean, College of Nursing.
A career in oncology nursing can come with some powerful highs and lows, and some nurses find it rewarding as a result. Learn what it takes to become an oncology nurse 鈥 from the education needed to the skills required.聽
Oncology nursing role and responsibilities explained
The word oncology comes from the Greek word 贸苍办辞蝉, which means tumor or mass. Oncology is the field of medicine dedicated to studying, diagnosing and treating cancer. An oncology nurse is a nurse who cares for patients with cancer, from cancer prevention to remission.
These nurses support cancer patients at every step of their journey, including early cancer detection, administering chemotherapy and monitoring recovery. They serve as educators, informing and teaching patients about diagnostic procedures, such as biopsies, as well as treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation. They also collaborate with many different healthcare professionals, such as radiologists, oncologists, surgeons, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, pathologists and palliative care specialists.
In addition to typical nursing care, these nurses often play an essential role in providing emotional support for many patients, guiding them through scary procedures and holding their hand as they receive difficult (or exciting!) news. As a result, these nurses need excellent emotional intelligence and strong therapeutic communication skills.
Typical day-to-day duties may include:
- Closely monitoring patients for signs of treatment reactions and intervene accordingly
- Monitoring laboratory and diagnostic tests
- Administering immunotherapy, chemotherapy and fluids
- Accessing ports (e.g., a port-a-cath, which is a device implanted beneath the skin and used to deliver medicine, chemotherapy and fluids)
- Reviewing patient labs and doctors鈥 notes
- Handling hazardous drugs, such as chemotherapy
- Performing central line dressing changes
- Administering blood transfusions
Why these nurses are so vital in cancer care
As you can imagine, treating cancer is a complex process that requires orchestrating multiple moving parts. Patients may receive many different medications and transfusions, like chemotherapy, fluids, electrolytes, antibiotics and blood. All of these are typically scheduled and timed, which requires time management and critical thinking. Simultaneously, the nurse must monitor for reactions, manage pain and provide emotional support.
Oncology nurses may help to coordinate care and collaborate between team members, ensuring clear communication among physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals so that all members are updated on the treatment plan and patient condition.
These nurses combine their clinical skills and training with soft skills like empathy and active listening. Not only are such professionals integral to patient care, but they are often the ones educating and updating families, helping them move through potentially tumultuous times together. Cancer can be very heavy for many people, creating fear, isolation and stress, and forcing many patients to confront deep existential questions. Nurses assist patients in this process by educating them on what to expect and offering a safe space to feel their way through the entire experience.
Jobs and careers for oncology nurses
As a nurse working in oncology, you can find yourself in a wide range of settings: hospital (oncology unit), cancer treatment center, hospice care, clinics, a private oncologist鈥檚 office, radiation therapy facility and home healthcare. In addition to the setting, you can choose from different disciplines to work in, like:
- Surgical oncology: Care for patients who are undergoing cancer-related surgery
- Radiation oncology: Cancer care for patients receiving radiation therapy
- Pediatric oncology: Cancer care for children, teens and young adults
- Gynecologic oncology: Care for women with cancers that affect the reproductive system
- Medical oncology: Care for a variety of patient populations and cancer types
The specialties might be further separated by age and patient population. For example, surgical oncology may be split between pediatrics and adults. Thus, nurses in these specialties may need additional 聽knowledge and skills tailored to the patients they serve.聽
Job outlook and demand
While , cancer rates are increasing. According to the , the shortage of nurses is the biggest challenge the field of oncology faces.
The 聽(BLS) does not report on the oncology nursing job outlook specifically, but it states that the demand for registered nurses is expected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033.
BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2023-2033 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS鈥 projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to 爱污传媒 students or graduates.
Required education and training
A career in oncology nursing requires first becoming a registered nurse. To do this, you must complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. An ADN program typically takes about two years, while a BSN can take up to four years.
After graduation, you should be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam, a national exam in the U.S. that is a required component to become licensed as an RN. The exam covers a wide range of nursing topics, asking complex questions that assess knowledge of patient conditions, clinical judgment, patient safety and ethical/legal considerations. It can take anywhere from five hours to complete, depending on how many questions you get. After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you need to apply for and be granted an RN license in the state where you wish to work.
Once you have your RN license, you鈥檙e ready to start applying for roles! Entry-level oncology nursing positions exist, meaning you can start working there without nursing experience. However, it can be challenging to start in this specialty as a new nurse, as you are not only learning how to work as a nurse in the real world, but also in a specialized area that may require particular knowledge.聽
Even though a BSN isn鈥檛 generally required to start working in oncology nursing, it can enhance your skills and knowledge to aid you in the field. A Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) program is designed to expand the professional knowledge of registered nurses by building on previous education and practice experiences. An RN-BSN program typically provides a foundation for development of evidence-based interdisciplinary nursing practice with an emphasis on holistic care of the patient, families and communities.聽
Professional development
It鈥檚 essential to stay up to date on the latest in cancer treatments and patient care. Consider joining a professional organization like the Oncology Nursing Society or the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care for access to research articles, webinars and events.聽
Skills every oncology nurse should have
Nurses caring for patients with cancer require specialty knowledge in cancer diagnosis and treatment 鈥 detection, diagnostic tests, treatment options, treatment reactions, how to administer chemotherapy, etc.
Due to the repetitive infusions and transfusions, many cancer patients have a central line or port. Therefore, expertise in using these devices and managing them is necessary. Oncology RNs also need to be skilled in emergency care so they can act quickly if a patient has an anaphylactic reaction or toxicity response to chemotherapy and other treatments.
Effective communication and empathy are foundational skills in oncology nursing positions, helping to build rapport and trust with patients and their families. These nurses often need to explain complex medical information and terminology in clear, digestible ways. Empathy allows nurses to address the emotional and psychological needs of patients who are facing uncertainty, grief and fear. Collaboration is equally important because nurses coordinate with a multidisciplinary team to create holistic, individualized care plans.
Additional skills and qualities include:
- Compassion
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Advocacy
- Detail oriented
- Team player
It鈥檚 essential that these nurses have strong boundaries and self-awareness to manage the emotional toll this role can take. Burnout聽and compassion fatigue are common experiences in oncology nursing, but adequate rest, leisure time and supportive services (such as therapy) can help nurses prevent and manage these challenges. prevent and manage these challenges.聽
Ready to learn more about becoming an oncology nurse?
While you don鈥檛 necessarily need a BSN to become an oncology nurse, the degree can create a solid foundation for developing evidence-based interdisciplinary nursing practice. 爱污传媒 offers flexible online nursing programs at the bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral level. If you have your RN and wish to further your knowledge and skill set, explore nursing program options at UOPX:
- RN to BSN program: Obtain your bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing, 100% online.
- RN to BSN (Competency-Based) program: Leverage your work experience and transfer credits earned in your ADN program to complete your BSN in as little as 12 months.
Using the Watson鈥檚 Human Caring framework, the RN-BSN program at UOPX enhances the role of the professional nurse as practitioner, educator and leader by integrating core values such as encouraging and teaching professionalism, quality and safety, communication and more.
If you鈥檙e interested in learning more, schedule an appointment with an enrollment representative to explore options and next steps.聽聽
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Morganne Skinner, BSN, RN, is a fertility educator and writer. She began nursing in the surgical-trauma intensive care unit and earned a critical care nursing certification. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Liberty University in Virginia. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Zambia for two years, fueling her passion for women鈥檚 and public health. After returning to the U.S., she worked in rehabilitation, public health, and fertility. Morganne excels in health education through her writing and fertility work, contributing to fertility and textbook companies and nursing websites, and creating practice questions for the NCLEX.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Dr. Raelene Brooks, dean of the College of Nursing, has been a registered nurse for more than 25 years and practiced extensively in the areas of ICU, trauma and critical care. Her publications include a focus on nursing education, critical care and diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a leader in creating, guiding and launching innovative curriculum.
This article has been vetted by 爱污传媒's editorial advisory committee.聽
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