Becoming an Oncology Nurse

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Apr 14, 2012

Are you referring to the OCN certification that is offered throught the ONCC? Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation

This is one of the specialty nursing certification exams that a nurse would take after working in that field for a while, and developing expertise. It is not a prerequisite for working with cancer patients.

I worked on a unit for a long time that served probably 50% patients with cancer- medical, surgical, palliative, you name it. We were encouraged to take the OCN exam after a few years and were supported in doing so. It shows a certain level of competence and knowledge specific to this patient population, including incidence/epidemiology, symptom management, what cancers metastasize where, medications, chemo, radiation... the unit offered a review course, and the study guide was called Core Curriculum for Oncology Nurses.

I encourage all nurses to get certified in a specialty area. To me, it shows a little something beyond your licensure, an area of special knowledge, and the willingness to go the extra mile.

LaChasityB · Apr 14, 2012

To be honest, I really am interested in becoming an oncology nurse practitioner. Are you familiar with this course work?

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Apr 14, 2012

I've seen a few oncology CNS's but never an oncology NP (there is an oncology certification exam for APN's- check that link that I listed).

With the new consensus model, nurse practitioner curricula are more broad- for instance you could do the adult/gero nurse practitioner program or FNP, and possibly do a practicum with an oncology practice, then try to get a job with one.

LaChasityB · Apr 14, 2012

Okay thanks, especially for that link. I am going to definitely do more research so I can figure out what steps I need to take to become a specialty nurse. Now I need to pass my NCLEX and become licensed so I can maybe find work at a cancer related center or on an oncology floor.

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Apr 14, 2012

Great! Best wishes to you. It really is a great field and a wonderful opportunity. You will learn a TON.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2012

There are Oncology Nurse Practitioners, but that's not a specialty that they're trained in during school. For example, all of the Oncology NPs I've worked with are PNPs.

An Oncology Nurse Practitioner would start as an RN, it would be a good idea to work in oncology as an RN if you know this is what you're interested in. Then they would go to graduate school and choose whatever track they want to complete- adult, geriatric, family or pedi I believe are the main programs for NPs. Once they complete the program and get their NP license, they can pretty much go work anywhere they want. I work with NPs who are Neurology/Neurosurgery NPs but have backgrounds in primary care or other specialties. Someone I used to work with is now an ENT Nurse Practitioner and her only RN experience was in neurology.

To work in Oncology as an NP, some facilities may require OCN or CPON. I believe it depends on the facility and the supervising physician whether or not Oncology NPs are allowed to write chemo orders.

LaChasityB · Apr 14, 2012

Thanks that helped a lot. I am currently looking for RN oncology positions, but it is kind of hard getting a position in a critical area such as that as a new RN grad. I am going to continue to look because I really like this field and I am starting to become passionate about it. Hopefully a position becomes available so that I can start receiving experience and pursue my endeavors as an advanced oncology practitioner.

LaChasityB · Apr 14, 2012

Thanks for the wishes!

pedcancersurvivor89 · Sep 17, 2013

Hello. Was wondering how it went finding an oncology job right after graduation. I am also in the nursing program, expecting to graduate Dec. 2014. Oncology is also my interest area. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.:-)