Radiation Oncology position

Specialties Oncology

Published

Hey all I'm currently interviewing for Radiation Oncology RN position in outpatient cancer center. Any information on the nurse role in this area would be helpful. I currently have a surgical background but have always had interest in Oncology.

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Specializes in oncology, telemetry, urology.

Hi Sungrl01

Radiation Oncology is a terrific field for nursing, but many don't understand what we do. The role of the nurse in Rad Onc is to coordinate care as a patient travels the journey from consultation, through treatment and into follow-up. It is very much a "navigator/coordinator" role- meaning there are many steps in the process and the nurse is the person who keeps track of prior-auths, getting outside records, symptom management needs, follow up appts with other specialties like med onc for chemo, etc. There are many different forms of radiation treatment, so learning terms like external beam, HDR, protons, total body irradiation is helpful. You work closely with the team of MD, physicist, dosimetrist and radiation therapist, and also refer to dieticians, social workers, speech therapy and dental. Different cancer sites being radiated cause different symptoms, so learning that will be helpful. You really get attached to the patients, as they rely on you heavily while they are going through difficult treatment. To me, it's the essence of nursings and a wonderful role.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

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I just found out yesterday I got the job. So I am going to do Radiology Oncology nursing at Cancer Center. This will be new to me as I have OR, pre and post op nurse experience but hope to learn so much! So excited :)

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Congratulations on your new position!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I just found out yesterday I got the job. So I am going to do Radiology Oncology nursing at Cancer Center. This will be new to me as I have OR, pre and post op nurse experience but hope to learn so much! So excited :)

Congratulations! Have you considered joining Oncology Nurses Society? They have all sorts of CE materials at a reduced rate for members, and they also have a certification for radiation oncology nurses which is also offered at a reduced rate for members. (At least they did ~3 years ago.)

Very best wishes to you!

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Oncology.

I work as a Radiation Oncology Nurse and love it!!!!!

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