Become an Oncology Nurse

What you'll do: You'll provide and supervise care for cancer patients who are either chronically or critically ill. Oncology nurse practitioners monitor their patients' physical conditions, prescribe medication and formulate symptom management strategies. These caring individuals often witness suffering and death, but many thrive on the deep, ongoing relationships they develop with patients.

Minimum degree you'll need to practice: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Certification: Certification for oncology nurses and oncology nurse practitioners is available from the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.

Average annual salary: $79,000

Cities where jobs are often found: Chicago, Boston, Denver, Houston, Tampa and Atlanta

Oncology nurses must be registered nurses (RNs). Although you will be best served by eventually earning a 4-year Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, you may choose to start your career with a 2-year associate's degree or 2- to 3-year diploma. In order to become an oncology nurse specialist, you will need to learn specific cancer care skills through coursework, clinical practice or continuing education. After gaining enough knowledge and on-the-job experience, you can take an exam to become an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN).

To become an oncology nurse practitioner, you will also need to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, typically obtained through a 2-year program of graduate study. You can then seek recognition through your state board of nursing as an advanced practice nurse (APN).

As an oncology nurse practitioner, you will need at least 500 hours of supervised clinical practice in oncology (accrued either during or after completion of the master's program) to be eligible to take the certification examination to become an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP). Certification is required in many states and recommended in the others.

As with all nursing careers, the demand for oncology nurses is expected to increase significantly over the next ten years. This is especially true because the vast majority of cancers are diagnosed in people over 55, making oncology nurses critically necessary as the baby boomer generation ages.
_{Sources:
Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow, 2009
Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, 2009
Nursing Spectrum, 2004
Payscale.com, 2010}