Oncology Nurse – Career and Education Profile

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Oncology nurses work with patients who have developed cancer and as fighting this disease. They can also work in education and assessment of patients who are at risk.

Job Responsibilities

As an oncology nurse, your specific job duties will depend on two main factors: your education level and your employer. You can get started working in oncology as an LPN, though this training requires little specific education for this field, so you’ll generally do basic nursing tasks. If you become an RN or go on to get your master’s degree in the field, you’ll be tasked with more difficult and specialized duties, including education patients for home health care, helping to develop a treatment plan, assisting doctors during surgical procedures, and doing full screenings for patients. If you work at a hospice, you’ll concentrate mainly on pain management, while treatment facilities include other tasks such as tracking progress and administering medications.

Salary and Career Options

Oncology nursing is an in-demand field, as the number of cancer patients grows every year. Payscale.com reports that you can earn $52,299 to $74,205 as an oncology nurse, though the exact amount you’ll earn depends on factors such as your experience and location. Many nurses begin working in oncology after first gaining experience as a staff nurse, and in the field of oncology itself you have a number of career options if you want to specialize. Oncology nurses can specialize in one type of cancer, such as breast cancer or type of patient, such as children, for example.

Educational Requirements

While you can get started with oncology nursing if you’re certified as an LPN, many positions require an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, and you can also get a master’s degree or even doctorate focusing on oncology. Along with learning general nursing skills, your classes will cover topics such as hospice care, pharmacology, cancer screening and risk assessment, and more. You can be certified in this field by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.

LPN to RN College Programs

With some additional schooling, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can become a registered nurse (RN), opening doors to more job opportunities and higher salaries. The following is a list of schools with the best online LPN to RN degree programs offered by accredited colleges. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

LPN to RN (BSN)	Indiana State University—ISU’s LPN to BSN degree program is the only online LPN to RN training program in the United States. LPNs and LVNs who complete this program can earn their NLNAC-approved Bachelor of Science degree in nursing entirely online. Upon completion, graduates should meet all of the prerequisites for becoming an RN. Read an in-depth review of Indiana State University.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	The College Network—Earn your LPN to RN (ADN) degree completely online with no campus attendance and no wait list. Learn from the convenience of home at your own pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associate’s degree in less time and for less money than traditional campus programs. Read an in-depth review of The College Network.
	Select a subject and degree level, then click "Find My Degree" to browse 100+ online nursing schools offering relevant accredited programs.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	Walden University—Founded in 1970, Walden University is dedicated to providing education for a higher purpose. The Nursing School confers degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, which provides further study in health informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership/management. Walden is one of the biggest providers of online master and doctorate programs with over a hundred degrees offered at each level.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing (MSN) MSN in Adult Health RN to MSN in Nurse Education Accelerated RN to MSN	South University—South University’s College of Nursing offers numerous degree programs for aspiring nurses. Those looking for a BSN degree can enter into the RN to BSN and complete it within 18 months. South also offers the following master’s degree-level programs: MS in Nursing (MSN), MSN in adult health nurse practitioning, MSN in nurse education, and an accelerated RN to MSN.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Kaplan University—Kaplan University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs feature curriculums that provide registered nurses with the tools to graduate with BSN and MSN degrees. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education feature curriculums that teach methods in management and education in order to prepare students for leadership and educator positions with in the nursing field.