Oncology Nursing Job Description
Oncology Nurses are Nurses who care for patients suffering from different forms of cancer. Patients are often either critically ill or chronically ill when being cared for.
Oncology Nurses will work in a variety of areas, including surgical Oncology, gynecologic Oncology, radiation Oncology, pediatric Oncology, and general medical Oncology.
Oncology Nurses also practice their services in many different settings, such as acute care hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, private oncologists’ offices, home healthcare agencies, community agencies, and many other areas.
Typical duties of an Oncology Nurse include the following:
- Administer chemotherapy
- Implement new methods of symptom treatment
- Pre-chemotherapy screening
- Fatigue management
- Assessing patient’s physical and emotional state
The Oncology Nurses’ biggest role concerns the Nurse-patient relationship. This Nurse must review all treatment plans with the oncologist, and be aware of all possible outcomes and complications of every procedure. Oncology Nurses must also ensure that the patient, as well as the patient’s family are fully educated and aware of every facet of the disease, treatment process, recovery process, and all other vital information pertaining to the Nursing care plan.
Cancer is a debilitating disease from a mental, physical and emotional perspective for all people involved, so it is crucial for Oncology Nurses to remain positive and educated at all times. Their jobs do not end once they leave the classroom, as new findings and treatment methods are constantly being developed.
