The Duties and Responsibilities of an Oncology Nurse

Previously, cancer was an incurable sickness and people suffering from cancer had been bound to die. But with development in technologies, treatment of cancer patients has been possible and many have been cured. A lot of Nursing students became inclined in the direction of this profession and as a result oncology nursing has evolved. Oncology nurse practitioners are the Advanced Practice registered Nurses (APRNs) who offer, guide and assess Nursing care for people with cancer. Additionally they offer support to the families of the patients.



To be able to enroll for the study as an oncology nurse one needs to have a Bachelors' Degree in Nursing. After that one can go for study of masters in oncology. MSN oncology requires to complete MSN coursework and curriculum for a specialty. Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) requires to study CNS first and then add oncology as an extra coursework. Being an oncology nurse, Oncology Nurse Practitioner (NP) require you to obtain nurse Practitioner Degree first then can add oncology specialty later on to it. will a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice.



After completion of studies the oncology nurse are capable of working in hospitals, specialty hospitals, medical offices, ambulance care centers or even home healthcare and treat the cancer patients. The duties of the oncology nurses are:



* Providing and supervising the cancer patients.



* Administering Biotherapy and Chemotherapy



* They monitor their patients' physical conditions, prescribe medication and symptom management.



* Managing for the hematology, breast oncology, radiation, surgical oncology, GYN oncology, neck and head oncology.



* Giving Palliative care



* Cancer genetic counseling and bone marrow transplant



* Assessing ongoing needs and educational deficits



* Provide expertise about oncology to health care consumers, allied health personnel, colleagues.



* Design and carry out number of patient education activities.



After the completion of Degree Program you are eligible to take the certification exam to become Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP). Oncology Nursing Certification corporation (ONCC) has been established to provide examination for the certification. These certificates need to be renewed every 4 years. Renewal by testing is required every 8 years.