What is an oncology nurse? An oncology nurse is an RN who specializes in providing care to patients with cancer and those at a high risk of it. First, one must obtain a nursing degree and license to become an oncology nurse. Then, gain clinical experience in oncology.
At some point during their lifetime, an estimated 40.5% of people will be diagnosed with cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Cancer patients and their families face an uphill battle and can often benefit from specialized care, as well as a sympathetic ear from a compassionate nurse. If you decide to become a nurse, you might consider pursuing a specialty in oncology care.
Madonna University empowers individuals with a non-nursing background to transition to a career in nursing, including oncology care, in as few as 16 months with our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. If you’re passionate about pursuing a healthcare career, you can learn how to become an oncology nurse here.
Are you considering becoming a nurse? Discover what an ABSN program is and if it’s a good fit for you.
What Is an Oncology Nurse?
Before considering how to become an oncology nurse, you’ll want to know more about this particular nursing specialty. An oncology nurse is a registered nurse (RN) specializing in delivering patient care to individuals with cancer and those at risk of developing it.
Within this nursing specialty, there are several subspecialties. For example, many cancer patients require surgeries. Surgical oncology nurses prepare and care for these patients before and during surgery. Other subspecialties include:
- Radiation oncology
- Pediatric oncology
- Gynecologic oncology
- Hematologic oncology
- Chemotherapy/infusions
- Bone marrow transplantation
The Role of Oncology Nurses in Cancer Care
What is an oncology nurse’s primary responsibility? Their job involves not only providing nursing care but also emotional support. Being diagnosed with cancer can be a difficult challenge to deal with, and receiving treatment can be both physically and emotionally taxing. While delivering patient care, oncology nurses often look for ways to support the emotional health of patients and their loved ones.
The specific duties of an oncology nurse vary depending on the setting and subspecialty. In general, however, these professionals may do any of the following:
- Educate patients and their loved ones on the diagnosis, treatment options, side effects, lifestyle adjustments and similar issues
- Provide advocacy support to patients and their families
- Record patients’ health histories, symptoms and vital signs
- Provide care to patients before and after surgery
- Collect samples and run diagnostic tests
- Administer treatments and medications, such as infusions including chemotherapy
- Monitor patients during treatments and help them manage side effects
Oncology nurses might also contribute to patients’ treatment plans and coordinate medical necessities with other providers. They can help patients and their families find and access resources for support, including support groups, transportation assistance and similar resources.
Oncology Nursing vs. Other Nursing Specialties
Oncology nursing is very similar to other nursing specialties. All types of nurses, for instance, need to stay on top of the latest nursing research. Doing so in oncology nursing is even more critical, as nurses are expected to know about the latest cancer research and care options.
Similarly, building relationships with patients is more of a priority in oncology nursing than in many other specialties. You will likely be working with the same patients for the duration of their care, which can be lengthy, and they will look to you for support. Oncology nurses typically have more opportunities to interact with patients’ loved ones, and there is a significant focus on patient and family education.
Steps for How to Become an Oncology Nurse
If oncology nursing seems like a good fit for you, you probably have many questions about the career pathway. How many years does it take to become an oncology nurse, and how does one achieve it? Let’s look closer at a career pathway for a cancer care nurse.
Explore the levels of nursing and learn about roles and requirements.
Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
When choosing a career change to oncology nursing, returning to school for another four years to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can be off-putting. Fortunately, it isn’t necessary for everyone. You may be eligible to apply to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Madonna University if you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s or a minimum of 60 college credits.
The ABSN program leverages your prior education to allow you to graduate in as few as 16 months. A shorter timeline doesn’t inhibit your education, as the nursing curriculum is as comprehensive and in-depth as traditional four-year BSN programs. This means you can be a confident, practice-ready nurse upon graduation.
The ABSN program at Madonna features three main components:
- Online coursework: Complete nursing theory classes online for greater convenience and flexibility.
- In-person labs: Complete nursing skills and nursing simulation labs in person to develop core nursing skills and clinical judgment.
- Clinical rotations: Gain hands-on nursing experience with clinical placements in nearby hospitals.
Obtain a Nursing License
After earning your BSN at Madonna University, obtaining a nursing license is next. You will need to pass the NCLEX-RN® exam to earn your nursing license. The NCLEX is a challenging exam that tests your nursing knowledge and ability to form appropriate clinical decisions given different patient care scenarios.
This test is challenging because it often requires you to choose from multiple correct answers; even though multiple answers may be technically correct, you’ll need to select the most appropriate answer for the situation.
It’s highly recommended that you begin preparing for the NCLEX shortly after starting nursing school. Work through NCLEX prep materials, study practice questions and take full-length practice exams. At Madonna, you can work one-on-one with Academic Success Coaches to assist you with NCLEX prep and the ABSN program.
Gain Clinical Experience
As soon as you have your nursing license, you can pursue nursing jobs in the oncology specialty. Look for opportunities in hospitals, dedicated cancer care centers, children’s hospitals, transplant centers, outpatient facilities and similar settings. If you don’t find an oncology-specific position right away, consider looking for a job within a similar nursing specialty to gain some clinical experience while continuing to explore oncology opportunities.
Oncology Nurse Certification Requirements
You might feel ready to pursue professional certification after gaining clinical experience in an oncology nursing role. Obtaining one or more certifications is wise, as many employers prefer or require it. Certification demonstrates that a nurse is prepared to tackle the uniquely complex challenges of cancer care and uphold high patient care and safety standards.
There are various options, each with different oncology nurse certification requirements. For instance, you generally need to demonstrate a certain number of hours of clinical experience before being qualified to pursue the certification. Some certification options include:
- Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®): This certification expands nurses’ knowledge of oncology and demonstrates their ability to provide oncology nursing care.
- Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON®): This certification is for nurses who work with children experiencing blood disorders and other pediatric cancers.
- Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN®): The only nationally accredited certification of its kind, this certification covers all elements related to breast care nursing practice.
- Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN®): This certification is the only nationally accredited credential that certifies nurses’ knowledge of all aspects related to blood and bone marrow transplant nursing care.
- Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN®): This certification is reserved for nurse practitioners and verifies their knowledge and competency in providing oncology care to their patients.
Key Skills and Qualities of an Oncology Nurse
An aspiring oncology nurse can benefit from a robust set of hard and soft skills. For example, stress management and emotional resilience are crucial in this nursing specialty, given the emotional nature of caring for severely ill patients.
Other essential skills and qualities include:
- Empathy and compassion
- Communication skills
- Patient and family caregiver education
- Attention to detail
- Professionalism and boundaries
- Advocacy
- Care coordination
Explore a Future in Cancer Care at Madonna
If you’re excited about the possibilities of a nursing degree, it’s time to explore your future at Madonna University. Our graduates are different thanks to our values-based education, which emphasizes compassion and evidence-based practice. Our ABSN program prepares future nurses to pursue any nursing specialty, including cancer care.
Contact an admissions representative at Madonna today to learn about eligibility requirements and the admissions process.