| Oncology nurses provide care for chronically or | | | | Oncology nurses are registered nurses (RNs). Like all |
| critically ill cancer patients. This field of nursing did not | | | | RNs, they complete various levels of schooling (either |
| begin until the 1970s, when rapid advancements in the | | | | an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in |
| treatment of cancers made nurses who specialized in | | | | nursing) and then look for a position within the field of |
| cancer a necessity for the health care industry. | | | | oncology - they do not usually require special |
| Today, oncology nurses choose sub-specialties within | | | | certification. Often times, hospitals offer their own |
| the oncology field. Some of the most common | | | | courses for new nurses, helping the nurses to further |
| specializations include specializing in: | | | | their education and learn more about the needs of the |
| - Chemotherapy | | | | cancer patients they work with. |
| - Radiation Therapy | | | | Oncology nursing certificates are also available. For |
| - Surgical Oncology | | | | dedicated, career nurses, getting further certification is |
| - Bone Marrow Transplants | | | | a way to prove their dedication to the field and |
| - Particular types of cancer - breast cancer, pediatric | | | | advance their career. |
| cancer care, leukemia, head and neck oncology | | | | For new RN graduates interested in entering the field, |
| - Prevention and Early Detection | | | | the best way to start is to simply get a job in an |
| - Palliative and Hospice Care | | | | oncology unit. RNs can increase their level of education |
| What Oncology Nurses Do | | | | as their career continues, whether that means gaining |
| Oncology nurses can be found in a wide variety of | | | | certification as an oncology nurse or returning to |
| work settings - some work in hospitals or cancer | | | | school to gain a master's degree as an oncology |
| clinics, while others work in private offices and hospice | | | | nurse practitioner. |
| care centers. The majority of nurses in this specialty | | | | Salaries and Job Prospects for Oncology Nurses |
| work in a hospital setting, where they are a part of a | | | | Like all nursing jobs, positions as an oncology nurse are |
| multidisciplinary team that includes doctors, specialists, | | | | relatively easy to find. These nurses are in particularly |
| therapists (physical, occupational, and respiratory), | | | | high demand as the Baby Boom generation ages and |
| social workers, nurses, and nurse assistants. | | | | begins to develop more serious health issues, including |
| Some nurses focus more on screening and detecting | | | | cancer. New RNs generally earn around $35,000 per |
| cancer before it begins. These nurses are often active | | | | year to start, but experienced oncology nurses can |
| in the local community, offering cancer education from | | | | earn double this amount. Furthermore, nurse |
| their office or hospital department. | | | | practitioners specializing in oncology can earn up to |
| How to Become an Oncology Nurse | | | | around $125,000 per year. |