Oncology Nurse is an important and integral part of the entire Oncology team responsible for the treatment of the cancer patients. Mostly adopted by the female fraternity this noble profession has attained great importance world over. Qualified nurses with proper and specific qualification have a lot of demand in every field of medicine. Oncology (treatment of cancer by administering radiations) is one such specialized field where the demand of the specially qualified nurses is increasing at a fast pace. To do this work tirelessly with all the affection and diligence one requires a lot of hard work, devotion and above all patience. To discharge their duties with precision the prospective Radiation Oncology Nurse required professional knowledge about the filed and condition they are going to work. For that, they need proper knowledge, training and certification in their respective field which can only be achieved by doing professionally designed and accepted/accredited certificate courses. So to be in this profession one has to undergo one or more of the ahead given courses.
How to become a Radiation Oncology Nurse?
To become a Radiation Oncology Nurse one has to undergo one or more of the following Courses
1. B.Sc Nursing
1. Educational Qualification
To be eligible to join B.Sc Nursing a Bachelor degree one should be 10+2 with Biology, Physics and Chemistry as the main subject with 50% marks for some highly rated colleges providing this course.
Step 1
The candidate has to appear in an entrance test conducted by the various state and Independent medical educational bodies to admit candidates in various Nursing institutions attached with it according to the rank of the candidate in the entrance exam. However, some colleges also give admission on the basis of % of marks obtained in the qualifying class
Step 2
After completing this 3-4 years of course in which one has to go through all the major aspects of the field of study the interested candidates have to join M. Sc nursing or can directly go for Oncology Nursing Certification course.
Radiation oncology nurses are registered nurses licensed to practice professional nursing. Most nurses in radiation therapy have additional accreditation in the speciality of oncology nursing. Advanced practice nurses in oncology, which include clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, have completed a master's degree program.
How to get Certification
Certified nurses must meet specific eligibility criteria for nursing experience and speciality practice, and pass a rigorous multiple-choice examination. Certifications granted by ONCC are valid for four years and may be renewed by a combination of speciality practice hours, professional development activities or retesting.
For further information about certification can be found at www.oncc.org.
Fees and Other Expenditures: Although varying from college to college, the total course fee for a Basic Nursing course ranges from anywhere near 30 thousand at a government college to around Rs 1 Lakh in private institutes.
Radiation Oncology Nurse Job Description
These apt nurses work with the Radiation Oncology team to care for patients during and after the course of treatment. They help evaluate the patient before treatment begins. They also talk to the patient about potential side effects of the treatment they are about the get to get rid of the deadly disease and their management. During the course of radiation treatments, patients are evaluated weekly, or more frequently by this nurse to assess problems and concerns if there are any. These nurses also play an all-important role in educating the patient about treatment, side effects, and their management etc. She may have to work around the clock during emergency conditions.
Radiation Oncology Nurse Career prospects
With increasing healthcare awareness among the masses and general development of the medical services, the area of scope for nursing professionals in this field is widening at a fast rate. They can also take up private independent assignments of healthcare from some well to do persons who need their services during the time of recovery after the ailment at their place.
- Assistant Nurse/ Health care Assistant (To start with)
- Nurse
- Staff Nurse
- Head Nurse (At the apex of the Ladder)
Radiation Oncology Nurse Salary
Oncology Nurse can expect Rs.10,000 to Rs. 15,000 to start with and go up to Rs. 20,000to Rs.25,000 per month with experience and expertise in the field. They can also take independent assignment and charge according to their skill and demand in the health care sector.
Name of some of the institutes that provide higher education in Radiation Oncology nursing?
- Duke University's School of Nursing offers a master of science in nursing and a post-master's Certificate in Nursing option for the study of oncology.
Duke University
307 Trent Drive
Durham, NC 27710
919-684-9163
duke.edu - Loyola University offers a Master of Science degree in nursing with an emphasis in oncology, as well as a certificate option for the study of oncology in nursing. The program is designed to prepare nurses for roles at an advanced level for caring for oncology patients and their families.
Loyola University Chicago
2160 South First Avenue
Building 105-2840
Maywood, IL 60153
708-216-9101
luc.edu - Columbia University's School of Nursing offers an oncology program that prepares students to provide nursing care to cancer patients and their families.
Columbia University
630 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
212-305-2862
columbia.edu
