Oncology Nurse Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Can an oncology nurse specialize in child oncology? Also, how difficult is it to become a oncologist or? an oncology nurse? Is that what the nurses are called : oncology nurses?

Answer: Oncology / Cancer Study / is about 8 to 12 years of schooling to be MD in the field, a nurse is about half the time, you can go to www.ucsfhealth.org and see what they have to say, for they are a research hospital and a medical school

Question: How long does a pediatric oncology nurse have to go to school for? Do you enjoy the job? I'm just looking into maybe going to college for this but I couldn't find a lot of information about it online. Also what is the salray for the job?

Answer: If you're looking to be an RN, you can get your associates degree in about 2 years of full time schooling, bachelor's in 4 yrs. If you want to become a nurse practitioner, then it's around 6-8 years. I'm an oncology nurse for adults, and I absolutely love it! It takes a special personality to be a nurse to begin with. RN salaries differ from state to state. My sis and I are both RNs and we live opposite ends of the country and make similar salaries.

Question: What would i have to major in to be a Pediatric oncology nurse ? I really love kids and i wanna work with kids that sick with cancer... what classes would i have to take??? Would this be hard r not?

Answer: Focus on becoming a nurse first. Pediatric oncology is arguably among the toughest fields in medicine just due to the nature of the work. The tragedy of terminally-ill children can be extremely saddening after a while. The challenge isn't so much in the work but the emotional beating you might endure. The classes to become a nurse include a lot of science. Lots of chemistry, physics, biology, biochem, and maybe some psychology, depending on the program. You can be a pre-nursing major if your college or university offers the program or you could attend a community college for the degree. Google "RN [your local area] programs." Type in your nearest major city and go from there.

Question: who gets paid more, a RN, pediatric oncology nurse or a surgical technologist? im going for the medical field but im not quite sure if go for RN, pediatric oncology nurse or for surgical?

Answer: A pediatric oncology nurse is a RN. What you get paid as a RN depends on where you work & the shift. Its a hospital set scale, not a universal one. Most RNs in one facility are paid the same based upon seniority not specialty. RNs are paid more than a surg tech.

Question: I want to be an oncology nurse? I will be a freshmen(high school) next school year. I have no idea where to start!!!! I know that this is what I want to do, without a doubt! I just have no idea how to make it happen. I'm going to volunteer at a hospital over the summer. What else do I need to do? Please, any help or tips, ANYTHING, will be appreciated. Thank you for your time!

Answer: You have set you sights quite low. Any one with an average grade get get into nursing school. You might want to look at becoming a doctor or researcher. You can start you nurses training at Free Open University with medical terminology. Keep your math and biology strong through high school.

Question: I want to be a Pediatric Oncology Nurse? This is what I want to be no doubts. Obviously Bachelors and Masters in nursing but what should I do for the pediatric oncology part? i am 15 and a sophomore in high school and we have a Hope Children's Hospital although it's not necessarily oncology it is a children's hospital

Answer: That is wonderful you have chosen such a difficult area of Nursing. I don't know where you are in your schooling, but during your clinical times, you spend at each dept., try to get to know the nurses then and there. Don't be too pushy. Don't talk too much. There is nothing worse than a pushy, talkative nursing student. AFTER you have completed your Bachelors and Masters', there will be opportunities provided by the schools to concentrate on a certain area of nursing. Then, there are more classes on that specific area that are optional. Working with the sick children is one of hardest professions in the world. Best to you.

Question: I need an interview with an oncology nurse? Any help? Is there any Oncology nurses on here that i could interview via email for one my AP classes?

Answer: email me...

Question: for a nurse to specialize in a specific thing like oncology, would that nurse first have to be a BSN nurse? is that the minimum? or would they have to go to additional school? if so what?

Answer: No. You specialize just by getting a job in whatever area you are interested in. Your RN license is all you need. Some places might say they prefer experience in the specialty, but that shouldn't stop you from applying, you never know if they can afford to hold out for someone with experience or not. Most of your real education comes from your employer when you get a job. They provide you with a very in-depth orientation period which often combines classroom and on-the-unit training with an experienced preceptor. Later, once you've been working in your specialty area, you can become eligible to take a certification exam for that specialty, which shows you have demonstrated a high level of competency in that area. A BSN is not necessary to do any of these things, but I think in the long run you are better off completing it if you want to advance in your career.

Question: Residency for an Oncology Nurse? Hello, I'm in Texas and wanting to attend UTD for a BSN and would eventually like to become an Oncology Nurse. Afterwards, I would like to move to Chicago. So my questions is as follows, does a nurse who has just received her BSN need to go through residency before being able to work? If so, what are my chances of doing residency at the Chicago Medical School? Thanks for your help.

Answer: nurses do not go through the formal residency associated with doctors & those type of professions. they do on the job training. some hospitals may have new grad/new to area mini "residencies" for nurses but they are not the formally set up ones with exams & lectures & rotations like a MD. you would not do a residency at the med school, unless they operate a hospital & you get a job there. med schools do not operate residencies anyway--they just do the MD portion of the Doc's education--their residency is also in a formal hospital-based residency program. you would get your RN & then apply to work on an oncology floor in a hospital.

Question: becoming an oncology nurse? I dont really have that much money for college so i was wondering would it be smarter to get my associates degree, become an RN and then take night classes for my bachelors degree? and is that even possible lol? and what kind of classes would i have to take to become an oncology nurse??

Answer: I think you are on the right track by looking at your options and moving forward. You have chosen a noble profession to enter! Getting an AA would be a great start, however, you should make sure that the courses you need are offered at night in order for you to get your BA. You can look at a college catalog at your local library or go to your local college bookstore for specific courses you'll need(various colleges offer various courses-some that are required at one school may not be required at others). You will have to take a large number of science courses. Good luck.

Question: Are oncology nurses more susceptible to workplace risk? I heard a rumor that oncology nurses are more susceptible to health risks than other nursing professions. Is this just bogus information, or is it true that there is a greater personal risk of being an oncology nurse versus other specialties?

Answer: Oncology nurses are highly trained in the field of oncology (which is cancer in layman's term). There are many health risk in the nursing profession such as exposure to contagious diseases and communicable diseases. In the field of oncology, the exposure to high toxic materials i.e., chemodrugs, is also lessened since oncology nurses are well-equipped on how to handle and dispose these hazzards. Also, knowledge in chemotherapy, radiation, how to prevent exposure is primary important for oncology nurses. Maybe the infomation that you got, is those nurses assigned like in nuclear medicine. I for one know someone who got cancer most likely due to chronic exposure to the radiation since she is working with diagnostic radiation/imaging too. But cancer itself, cancer is not contagious so oncology nurses are not really at high risk in cancer.

Question: Will nursing school prepare me to be an ER, oncology, or medical-surgical nurse? I'm thinking of entering an accelerated BSN program. (I have a bachelor's in a different discipline) The program is basically 12 months of clinical experiences in different areas of nursing. I was wondering if an RN license is all I need to work in the ER, OR, or oncology or if I'll need additional coursework. Also, if I work in one area of nursing and want to switch to a different area is this feasible?

Answer: Hospitals are great places for training and offer courses in these and other areas so that RNs can move up or enhance skills. Once you have your license and are employed, look into it. Switching from one area of nursing to another requires additional training. For example it's a bit easier to go from ER to ICU and vice versa, than from ER to Onc because of similarities in job experience. Bear in mind that it costs money to hire nurses especially when a sign-on bonus is involved so hospitals want to keep us around for a long time. We have access to all kinds of training that will make us more valuable to them. You'll probably want to take advantage of that.

Question: Becoming a Oncology nurse... plase help!!!? My brother has leukemia and after watching and studying the oncology nurses coming every day. I found out want I was looking for. I want to be and oncology nurse in the PICU. How can I become one? There education, schooling, salary ect.. Please help.

Answer: First of all, you need to visit a nursing college. It is best to earn a BSN (bachelor of Science is Nursing) from an accredited 4 year university. You can then specialize in oncology by earning certification through ONS (Oncology Nursing Society). It is very hard work to become and maintain status as an oncology nurse. You must also be a detail-oriented person. Work on your spelling and grammar before you apply. Good luck.

Question: pediatric oncology nurse? Whats the job like? Do you become a pediatric nurse then specialise in oncology? Finally whats the pay like? Sorry theres not much info about it online :) x

Answer: Although I'm not a pediatric nurse, I do work with adult oncology patients. The job is extremely stressful. In many cases you are giving very expensive medications that if not given correctly, can damage a patient's skin requiring plastic surgery. Working with patient families can also be stressful as well. You won't run in to this in pediatrics because all of your patients are under eighteen but with adult patients, a nurse has to protect the patient's privacy and can't give out any information about the patient to anyone without written consent (even to their spouse). Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. The pay scale is different depending on where you live in the country. I wouldn't say it's great though...especially if you work in a clinic setting. Some hospitals have better health and retirement plans. All hospitals and clinics are different. In the hospital I work at the nurse must work on the floor at least one year before taking an adult chemotherapy class. Once the nurse passes the class and practical exam, you will be allowed to give chemotherapy. Of course, if the nurse is pregnant, she doesn't give chemotherapy until after maternity leave or after she's done breastfeeding, which ever comes last. I hope this answers your questions. It can be a rewarding job as well as stressful and I wanted you to be able to make an informed decision. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Question: I'm a high school senior interested in pediatric oncology nursing but I have no idea what to expect in college? I'm a high school senior that's very interested in becoming a pediatric oncology nurse. Possibly a R.N. or P.N. I don't really know what to expect from the courses, exactly how difficult are they? And about how long do they take to complete? Any help about this topic will do, I'm pretty lost and not very informed so any information would be great!

Answer: To answer your question, the first 2 years of school are the easier years with all you basic classes English 1 English 2 World Lit Other Electives Such As World History Political Science Communication Course Psychology Sociology Human Growth & Development Science Course A&P 1 & 2 Chem 1 & 2 ( with an organic component) Microbiology ( with a lab component) What courses are "required" all depend on the nursing school you would like to attend. Alot of nursing schools have different pre-recs they want you to complete. I personally choose to go to a smaller community college to save money, but if you want to go to a big university it is your choice. Just remember nursing school now is very competitive so keep your GPA up. Don't let partying or drinking ruin your chances of getting into nursing school by affecting your GPA. My advice I am in nursing school right now and my goal is also to become a pediatric nurse. For me when I was a freshman and sophomore until now I volunteered at a children's hospital for the experience. This a great idea to see if you really want to work with children because it can be very difficult. If you have a children's hospital near you, you should ask if they have a volunteer program. Go get your BSN in nursing and don't let anything stop you What to expect for nursing school, it is VERY Hard! If your driven and study hard, get tutoring, etc... you can make it happen. Good luck!

Question: Steps to become Oncology Nurse? I am interested in becoming a Nurse, and wanted to know what steps to take to become an Oncology Nurse. I know I need to become an RN first and the get a Masters. But what I don't know is if I can just get a Masters from any school in Nursing and that will be fine or if there are any special programs for it that you need to apply and be accepted? Also, once I become an RN can I go directly into Oncology? Any info I can get on this would be great. Thanks

Answer: Pediatric oncology nurses are responsible for facilitating patient care and assisting families with questions and issues arising from treatment. When working in a hospital environment, these professionals help children throughout their entire stay at the hospital, assessing physical and psychological needs and tracking patient progress. But before launching your career as a pediatric oncology nurse, you must earn your bachelor's degree in nursing and become a registered nurse in your state. Once you've completed these steps, you'll get the on-the-job training you need to be a pediatric oncology nurse. Step 1Earn your bachelor's degree in nursing. The first step in becoming a pediatric oncology nurse is to earn your bachelor of science degree in nursing. To find nursing programs in your area, check out All Nursing Schools (see Resources). Step 2Apply for an internship in a pediatric oncology office or hospital unit. When completing your degree in nursing, apply for internships in pediatric oncology. This will provide you with experience specific to your industry, and allow you to network; possibly securing a job pending graduation. Contact oncology practices and hospitals in your area for available opportunities. Step 3Earn your registered nurse designation. Most oncology practices require nurses to be registered by their state. To earn this designation, contact your state's nursing board once you've earned your bachelor's degree. Most states require that you complete an application and pass an exam. Step 4Apply for positions as a pediatric oncology nurse. Once you've completed the required education, search for positions at the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses; you can also call hospital oncology units and medical practices in your area to tap into unadvertised positions. Step 5Get certified with the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). Once you've worked 12 months as a pediatric oncology nurse, you can apply for certification.