American’s Got Nurses Interview Article – Oncology Nurse

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Becoming a nurse is a career choice filled with endless possibilities regarding specialty areas and future job opportunities. Nurses have the ability to choose a career helping patients with specific types of illnesses such as cancer, mental illnesses, and more. Those who work strictly with cancer patients are known as oncology nurses and are responsible for monitoring the physical conditions of potential and current cancer patients and providing care when needed.

Oncology nurses and nurse practitioners work with cancer patients of all ages as caregivers in an effort to diagnose and treat many forms of cancer currently available. In addition, they are also responsible for hospital and clinical duties as coordinators, consultants, educators, researchers, and administrators. They have a lot of responsibilities, but luckily the pay for oncology nurses generally reflects the difficulty of the job in most cases. According to the website, AllNursingSchools.com, the median salary for an oncology nurse is currently $65,470.

Work Environment

Oncology nurses are generally found in a hospital or clinical setting. Like all nurses, they are expected to spend long hours on their feet in stressful and demanding situations. Mental toughness is a must since most of the patients and oncology nurse encounters life-threatening illness and there are times when the outcome isn’t positive. Because of that, compassion, intelligence, and a large amount of patience are all necessary skills for an oncology nurse.

Educational Requirements

To become an oncology nurse, it is necessary to first become an RN (Registered Nurse) or complete the BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree. Specialized training in specific cancer care skills is also necessary, including coursework, clinical practice work, and additional educational sources. On-the-job training is also a critical piece of the puzzle for an oncology nurse and provides the most valuable experience possible for a nurse seeking to learn all he or she can about oncology.

What it’s like to be an Oncology Nurse

According to an online article by Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN, the rewards of working in oncology far outweigh the stress and demand associated with this specialty. In her article, Carolyn Vachani states, “…the fact that you never leave work thinking, did I really make a difference in someone’s life today?” is one aspect of her motivation that has kept her working as an oncology nurse almost 20 years later. One thing is certain; this specialty area definitely has an impact on those suffering from a difficult disease and the nurses who choose this career path as well.

Summary

Working as an oncology nurse is a rewarding career choice. There is no question this specialty is meaningful with the potential to impact many lives and helps those in need during one of the worst times of their lives. However, because cancer affects patients of all ages without prejudice, it is vital that potential oncology nurses be mentally tough with a big heart and a fierce desire to help patients through their darkest hours. Compassion, intelligence, and patience are required and without them, it is guaranteed to be a rough ride for any nurse – especially one in the oncology field.