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Oncology Nurse Information
The practice of oncology nursing encompasses the roles of direct caregiver,
educator, consultant, administrator, and researcher. Oncology nursing extends to
all care delivery settings where clients experiencing or at risk for developing
cancer receive health care, education, and counseling for cancer prevention,
screening and detection.
The oncology nurse functions as a coordinator of care, collaborating with other
cancer care providers and team members to provide required care as effectively
as possible.
Advanced practice also may include the roles of direct caregiver, coordinator,
consultant, educator, researcher and administrator.
Advanced nursing practice in oncology as a direct caregiver implies mastery of
the nursing process and the ability to provide, guide, and evaluate nursing
practice delivered to individuals diagnosed with cancer, their families, and the
community.
As a coordinator, the oncology nurse works expertly with the multidisciplinary
oncology team to achieve realistic healthcare goals for an individual or for an
entire community.
In the role of consultant, oncology nurses provide expertise about oncology to
colleagues, allied health personnel, and healthcare consumers, while as an
educator, the oncology nurse designs and performs a variety of patient education
activities.
As researcher, the oncology nurse identifies and investigates researchable
problems, and evaluates and applies research findings that affect cancer care or
nursing.
In their work as administrators and managers, oncology nurses create
environments conducive to the optimum health of the public and to professional
nursing practice.
The nature of oncology nursing care spans the spectrum from prevention and acute
care through rehabilitative and palliative supportive care as necessary.
Because the field is so diverse, oncology nurses can focus on:
* chemotherapy -- biotherapy
* breast oncology -- hematology/oncology
* radiation -- surgical oncology
* GYN oncology -- head and neck oncology
* bone marrow transplant -- cancer genetic counseling
* prevention and early detection -- symptom management
* palliative care
In addition to basic educational preparation to function as a registered
professional nurse, oncology nursing practice at the generalist level requires a
cancer-specific knowledge base and demonstrated clinical expertise in cancer
care beyond that acquired in a basic nursing program.
The oncology nurse actively participates in professional role development
including continuing education, quality assessment and improvement, and the
review and clinical application of research findings.
Advanced oncology nursing practice requires substantial theoretical knowledge in
oncology nursing and the proficient use of this knowledge in providing expert
care.
The basis for advanced nursing practice in oncology requires a minimum of a
master’s degree.
Oncology nurses can demonstrate their competency by becoming an oncology
certified nurse (OCN® ), advanced oncology certified nurse (AOCN® ) or a
certified pediatric oncology nurse (CPON). For more information, contact
www.oncc.org.
Also, the Oncology Nursing Society offers a Cancer Chemotherapy
Program to encourage consistency in practice among professional nurses who
administer chemotherapy. The program validates that the nurse has the knowledge
needed to administer chemotherapy and is valid for two years. For more
information, contact eccit@ons.org.
Oncology nursing practice occurs along the continuum of care and across care
delivery settings. Areas can include inpatient or outpatient settings at
community hospitals or multi-hospital systems. Oncology nurses practice at
National Cancer Institute-designed cancer centers or community cancer center
settings. These nurses work in home health care, hospice, public health and
community nursing. They develop private practices, work at physicians’ offices,
teach at schools of nursing, and practice in extended care facilities. Oncology
nurses also work in the pharmaceutical industry and in occupation health
settings.
Oncology nurses nationally earn salaries beginning at $35,000 annually with
advanced practice nurses earning salaries ranging from $60,000 to $125,000.
Oncology nursing practice at the generalist levels requires basic educational
preparation to function as a registered professional nurse. The basis for
advanced nursing practice in oncology requires a minimum of a master’s degree.
Oncology Nursing Society
125 Enterprise Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214
412-859-6263
FAX: 412-859-6164
e-mail: customer.service@ons.org
Web site: www.ons.org
American Society of Pain Management Nurses (ASPMN)
7794 Grow Drive
Pensacola, FL 32514
(888) 34-ASPMN
FAX: (850) 484-8762
e-mail: aspmn@puertzamc.com
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC)
704 Stony Hill Road, Suite 106
Yardley, PA 19067
(215) 321-2371
e-mail: aidsnurses@aol.com
Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON)
4700 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025-1485
(847) 375-4724
FAX: (847) 375-6324
e-mail: info@aphon.org
Web site: www.aphon.org
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA)
Penn Center West One, Suite 229
Pittsburgh, PA 15276
(412) 787-9301
FAX: (412) 787-9305
Web site: www.HPNA.org
International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC)
Greater London House
Hampstead Road
London NW1 7EJ
United Kingdom
Telephone: 011-44-171-874-0289
FAX: 011-44-171-874-0290
Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists (SGNO)
6024 Welch Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses, Inc. (SOHN)
116 Canal Street, Suite A
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
(904) 428-1695
FAX: (904) 423-7566
e-mail: sohnnet@aol.com
Web site: www.sohnnurse.com
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