OCTOBER HEALTH OCCUPATION OF THE MONTH
Nurse Oncologist
by Michelle Phillips
October 03, 2006
Oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with tumors. Including the study of their development, diagnosis treatment and prevention. Nurse Oncologists help with the treatment and care of patients with cancer.
The Nurse Oncologist has five major areas of work to cover, including
1) Etiology-The study, or cause of disease
2) Prevention
3) Biology
4) Diagnosis
5) Treatment
Skills-
A Nurse has to care for a sick person until they are better, where as a nurse oncologist has not only learn to care for the patient, but they have to care for the patients family and friends as well. A nurse oncologist cannot only think of how to make the person get better, but they have to understand the way that they feel and what they are experiencing throughout the course of treatment. A Nurse Oncologist needs to have certain skills such as:
1) Good IV Skills
2) Strong Interpersonal Skills
3) Coordinate with Doctors Requests
4) Gather and Maintain Medical Records
5) Any other skills required by the facility of work
Education
- Completion Of Medical School
- 2-4 Year Residency
3) Certification By The Board of Internal Medicine
Salary and Benefits
The average salary for a Nurse Oncologist ranges from $60,000 to $135,000 and can go up for the more advancements that you make. Benefits include, flexible work schedule, childcare, educational benefits and other bonuses.
Working Conditions
Most work in hospitals or special care centers. These nurses may need to work weekends, nights and holidays and also may be called into work on short notice. Nurse Oncologists need to be careful of needle sticks, patients with infectious types of cancer. They may suffer from emotional strain from watching critically ill patients and their families.
Advancement Opportunities
Hematologist Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Pediatric Oncologist
Veterinary Oncologist
Job Outlook
The Nurse Oncologist field is expected to grow much faster than average, and rapid growth in the chemotherapy field will grow as well due to advancement in technology.
