I am currently a nursing student and would love to work in the oncology unit, maybe even peds oncology. I am just curious as to how everyone on here has gotten into oncology? What are some things that I can do now as a student to help me with my nursing career in oncolgy? How can I get involved? Would an internship be helpful? Any good oncology books that I can look into?

Thanks for your advice and help!

I am a pre-nursing student and I am also very interested in oncology. After obtaining your RN liscense, are there other certifications that are needed to work in an oncology unit?

Oncology is a very rewarding area of nursing in my opinion. I fell in love with onc in nursing school when I had a clinical on a hem/onc floor, and went on to work as a student tech/nurse aide on that floor. Some floors require you to work 1-2 years on a med/surg floor prior to working in oncology, some will hire new grads RNs. I was hired as a new grad on my floor. There is no special certification needed to begin working in oncology. After you've been there for a while you can become a member of ONS (oncology nursing society). Your facility will train you to hang chemotherapy, once you become experienced you can take a test to become certified through ONCC (Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation). Another good way to get your foot in the door is to request to do your preceptorship/role transition on an oncology floor. Good luck!

I would reccomend consolidating your skills in med/surg for atleast one year prior to entering a specialty. There are numerous certification courses out there and a good one (Canada) is also the Oncology Nursing Distance Education course (ONDEC) available through the Cross Cancer Institute in Alberta. Depending what area of oncology you wish to work in, there are other educational options available to support (chemo administration, pain and symptom management, radiation therapy to name a few).