Requirements for OCN

[Dewman]

I am an ASN-RN and I have worked since graduation in LTC (2 years). I've seen a lot of residents with cancer, and I'm considering pursuing oncology nursing as a specialty. What I'd like to know is: what should be my next step?

Is it necessary or desirable to get my BSN first? It seems that the curriculum for BSN programs seems geared toward nursing management, and I have no real interest in that. What I DO have interest in is honing my clinical skills and knowledge, especially where it concerns oncology.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Trjl]

As much as I hate to say it, I would definitely pursue your BSN. The reason is, because I see a trend with hospitals making their nurses get their BSN's who do not have them. I have seen nurses who have been nurses over 20 years have to go back to school to get that BSN to retain their jobs, which seems a little unfair. But it is going on right now, and if you want to work in oncology, that may be a requirement soon. (depending on where you chose to work)

I do not see that a BSN is required to get an OCN (oncology certified nurse), but they do want you to have around 1000 hours of adult oncology experience before you take the test. ONS | Oncology Nursing Society is where you get all that information from. So you would need some oncology work experience before pursuing the test.

So aside from checking out getting your BSN, I would certainly look into any oncology units in your area and see if they are hiring. And start there. Outside of working in the hospital, there are out-pt clinics that give chemotherapy and out-pt radiation where they do radiation. And if you are unable to break into those, you can look into something like Hospice, or even get into IV therapy. If you hone your IV skills, any chemo clinic would snatch you up in a second.

Best of luck. Oncology can be a very rewarding career.