What is the difference between oncology nurse and AGCNS-ONC?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello, I wanted to know the different between being an oncology nurse and a AGCNS-ONC? or is it the same thing? I am planning to apply to UCSF for the MEPN and want to specialize in oncology. If I do the AGCNS-ONC, will I still be able to interact with patients? Any help would be great! thank you!!

Specializes in Oncology.

I'm an oncology certified nurse (OCN), but I don't know any of those other initials you mentioned. Hopefully someone else will come along to help answer your question...

hey(: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist is what AGCNS is. I just finished reading that I can master in Nursing specialized in Oncology Clinical Nurse specialist. I wanted to have more detail about this job. But thank you for your help!!:)

Specializes in Pedi.

When I worked in the hospital, our clinical nurse specialist was basically the clinical expert who was more or less a resource for the nurses. She didn't do direct patient care. When my manager got her masters, she went the clinical nurse specialist route but continued working as a manager.

Specializes in nursing education.

The oncology CNS would be the advanced practice nurse version of the OCN. CNS's have varying amounts of patient contact- it depends on the facility, the individual, the position. An oncology CNS might work entirely outpatient- but could be one on one or even population focused. Might be hired for a prescribing position or not. Have you looked at the three spheres of influence of CNS practice? Try posting in the APRN forum under CNS subforum.

Specializes in nursing education.

Also find out what exams you will be able to sit for. The advanced oncology rn exam

Advanced Practice

And the adult-gero CNS exam

Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

I would want to be able to sit for both.

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