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Discussion

Specializing in a Field

I am in nursing school for basic RN. Before I got into the program i was told that you can go to school to be n RN and then from there you specialize in the hospital. Example: Working with chemo or being a Pediatric Oncologist Nurse. My question is, do you have to go onto a masters program for a title like Pediatric Oncologist or is it true that you just specialize working in that unit in the hospital?

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    • Columnist

    Hello and welcome to the site.

    You might find it helpful to read through some of the threads and posts in the Nursing Specialties forums. We have several listed, and most include the requirements for working in that specialty.

    Good luck on your nursing journey.

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    Associate and bachelor degree programs in the US train nurses to be generalist RNs. Specialization is learned on the job. There are also certifications that can be gained, such as OCN or Oncology Nursing Certification. Many hospitals require OCN to administer chemo.

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    • Experts

    I agree with the previous poster who mentioned that specialization is attained on the job. A nurse with a diploma, associates, BSN or MSN degree can be hired at a hospital onto a specialty unit and learn through on-the-job training.

    In addition, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers specialty certification exams to those nurses who have worked in their respective specialties for a predetermined number of years.

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