Getting Into Oncology Nursing
Oncology nursing is a specialty that deals with providing care to cancer patients. The work involves monitoring a patient’s physical conditions, administering medication and treatment and planning strategies to manage patient symptoms.
Oncology nursing is tough work and nurses not only have to deal with seeing patients suffer but oftentimes witness death and grief. What they do as healthcare providers is critical, though, which is why they’re in much demand.
Education
A four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing is mandatory in order to become a registered nurse. Following this, candidates will need to go on to complete their masters in nursing after which they will have to obtain a certificate in oncology nursing from an accredited institute. 500 hours of clinical practice in oncology (supervised) is also mandatory which can be completed either during the course of obtaining the master’s degree or after. Once this is done, candidates can register as an advanced practice nurse.
Scope
Most cancer patients are above the age of 50-55 years. This means as the baby boomer generation grows older there is a need for young nurses experienced in oncology nursing. So if you ever decide to specialize in this field, know that you will always find employment, particularly in hospital settings.