Oncology nursing is a specialty that focuses on treating and caring for patients with cancer. A cancer nurse administers medications, including chemotherapy, provides patient education, and coordinates care among providers. Oncology nurses need a nursing degree and an RN license.
Oncology nursing can be a good career choice for a registered nurse (RN) interested in working with cancer patients. Cancer affects millions of people, including patients currently in treatment, those who have recovered, family members who have served as caregivers, and bereaved families mourning lost loved ones. Cancer patients benefit from a personalized approach and a compassionate touch. If you see yourself in this type of nursing role, you could start sooner at Northeastern University.
Northeastern’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program allows you to leverage your prior non-nursing education toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months. While here, you’ll benefit from small class sizes, faculty mentoring, and personalized guidance, preparing you to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and embark on a nursing career.
As you look ahead to your nursing career, learn about oncology nurse schooling requirements and oncology nurse salary expectations. Then, learn how to become an oncology nurse and reflect on whether this is the right nursing specialty for you.
What Does an Oncology Nurse Do?
An oncology RN works as a member of a cancer care team that includes oncologists, surgical oncologists, nurse practitioners (NPs), patient navigators, radiation therapists, and rehabilitation specialists, among others. Relying heavily on teamwork to ensure each patient receives the care they need, oncology RNs coordinate care and help patients navigate the healthcare landscape.
Other important tasks in oncology nursing include:
- Administering medications, including chemotherapy
- Delivering patient and family caregiver education
- Monitoring patients and updating health records
- Providing emotional support
- Serving as a liaison between the patient and other care team members
Where Do Oncology Nurses Work?
Primarily, oncology nurses work in standalone cancer treatment centers and hospitals, but they can also work in:
- Hospice agencies
- Nursing homes
- Patient care centers
- Physicians’ practices
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Oncology Nurse Schooling: Education and Training Requirements
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in oncology nursing, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for an entry-level role in this specialty. Requirements include a nursing degree, such as an associate’s degree or a BSN. While both degrees prepare you for licensure, a BSN can pave the way toward more job opportunities and advancement potential.
In addition to a nursing degree, you’ll need an RN license, which you can obtain by passing the NCLEX-RN. Once you’re a licensed RN, you can immediately begin applying to entry-level oncology nursing jobs.
After gaining experience, you can pursue cancer care certifications, such as the Oncology Certified Nurse certification. To qualify, you’ll need at least two years of experience as an RN, along with at least 2,000 hours of oncology practice. You’ll also need to meet continuing education requirements.
Earning a certification in cancer care may help you advance to higher-level oncology nursing jobs. Additionally, you can advance your career by pursuing graduate-level oncology nurse schooling. For example, with graduate-level nursing education and board certification, you could become an oncology NP.
How to Become an Oncology Nurse
Your journey toward becoming an oncology nurse could start at Northeastern University. If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 62 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible to apply to our ABSN program, which confers a BSN degree in as few as 16 months.
Your accelerated path toward a career in oncology nursing will involve a rigorous curriculum covering topics ranging from pharmacology to adult health, public health, and beyond. You’ll complete online coursework, simulation labs, and clinical rotations at nearby healthcare facilities. Your clinical rotations will introduce you to a wide range of nursing specialties, including adult health, acute and critical care, obstetrics, and more.
After graduating with a BSN, you can apply for an authorization to test, which enables you to schedule your NCLEX-RN test date. Northeastern provides thorough NCLEX-RN preparation for our students. You’ll learn to apply critical thinking skills, which are essential for passing the licensure exam. After passing the test and obtaining licensure, you can start applying to oncology nursing jobs.
Key Skills and Traits of a Successful Oncology Nurse
Working in oncology requires a blend of clinical and soft skills. Some of the most important clinical skills for a cancer care nurse include:
- Chemotherapy administration
- Emergency intervention for complications
- Patient education
- Pharmacological expertise
- Safe handling of hazardous drugs
- Vascular access
Some of the most essential soft skills and personal characteristics for a cancer nurse include:
- Communication skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Emotional resilience
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
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Oncology Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for all types of RNs was $93,600 as of May 2024. The job growth rate for RNs is expected to be 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average for all other occupations.
Although the BLS does not track employment data specific to oncology nurses, these general statistics can provide an idea of what a future oncology nurse might expect from the job market.
According to the American Cancer Society, the U.S. expects an average of more than 2 million cancer cases per year, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers. Additionally, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes that cancer rates in young people under 50 are increasing significantly. This highlights the need for oncology providers.
Is Oncology Nursing Right for You?
Cancer care can be a personally fulfilling specialty, but it’s important to understand its demands before deciding if it’s right for you. Cancer patients and their families often require significant emotional support. Because of this, oncology RNs should be emotionally resilient, able to bring empathy and compassion to the workplace while maintaining professional boundaries.
Similarly, a positive attitude is often appreciated by cancer patients. Patients look to their nurses to instill hope for the future; however, oncology nurses must also be emotionally prepared to lose patients.
Along with emotional resilience, oncology nursing is a specialty that demands a strong commitment to lifelong learning. As new cancer treatments continue to be developed, a cancer nurse needs to learn about them quickly so they can properly educate patients. Cancer RNs may also keep tabs on the latest clinical trials in case their patients qualify to enroll.
Find Your Future in Nursing at Northeastern
Northeastern University brings flexibility to higher education, with three ABSN locations, three start dates per year, and a hybrid program that combines online coursework with in-person experiential learning components. No matter where your nursing career takes you, you’ll be prepared for it with a solid foundation of core nursing competencies.
Start sooner with no waitlist, and graduate in as few as 16 months fully prepared to take the NCLEX-RN. Contact the admissions team at Northeastern University today to request more information.