Path to become an Oncology nurse?

[Avill, BSN, RN]

Hi all,

I spent a day in Oncology today as part of one of my rotation and really liked it.

I've read about students getting hired as Oncology nurses right after graduating, have any of you gotten that experience? If so, what do you think "you did right" to get hired?

Any tips on how to get into the field would be great too!

I graduate in 2015 so I have some time to go, but I'm crossing my fingers in that maybe I can chose oncology for my Preceptorship for next fall.

I just want to say that the nurse I was with today was amazing and showed sooooo much compassion. It was touching and refreshing..

Thanks all!

[friendlyjane]

I would love to see some responses to this post. I am very curious about this as well.

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

Honestly, there isn't a whole lot you can do as a new grad to get hired into oncology other than apply.

You will need to be working as an onc nurse in order to get most certifications, and even if you did try to get certified before you have experience, paper certifications with no experience to back them won't mean very much.

I was brought into oncology immediately after commissioning in the US Army. I had no say in the matter but benefitted greatly from the experience, despite my initial uncertainty.

If you are shadowing/attending clinicals on an oncology floor, it certainly doesn't hurt to introduce yourself to the manager and ask your preceptor(s) if they have any tips as to how to get hired.

[Lexirunner]

I just graduated, passed NCLEX yesterday (WOOHOO!!!), and had my last clinical rotation for 16 weeks on an Onc/palliative floor. Like you, I was so impressed at the level of care and compassion provided. I had two preceptors on the floor and asked permission to use them as a reference, should I apply on that unit. Once I noticed openings, I emailed the nurse manager directly with a tailored cover letter and attached my resume. I have a phone interview tomorrow for an RN position on that unit. Definitely introduce yourself to the nurse manager, and email with your interest in the unit (and WHY you want to work there) when you're done. Good luck!!