How to Become an Oncology Nurse

Oncology nursing is intellectually and emotionally demanding, but can also be rewarding. This form of healthcare makes a tremendous difference to patients’ emotional well-being and health outcomes.

As the field of oncology develops, there will always be more to learn. Explore how to become an oncology nurse, including education and certification, and what to expect in this career.

Oncology nurses provide care for patients who are seeing oncologists for diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. They often work in hospitals or in stand-alone cancer centers but can also work in other settings, including hospice and clinics. Typical oncology nurse responsibilities include:

Because cancer is such an emotionally-charged and serious condition, oncology nurses must have strong communication skills and be able to show empathy for patients and loved ones. While it can be extremely rewarding to watch a patient recover, you must also be able to deal with the frustration of caring for patients who do not recover.

Learning how to become an oncology nurse requires developing these interpersonal and nursing skills to a high degree.

Nurses have to show a full commitment to their continuous professional education to retain their license. A nursing license is obtained by earning a nursing degree and sitting for and passing the NCLEX, offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Once you have completed this exam successfully, you can become a registered nurse (RN), after which you can choose to specialize in oncology.

Consider which degree to earn to become an oncology nurse. An ADN is the fastest path to becoming a nurse, but because oncology nursing can be especially demanding, many employers may prefer the additional knowledge and experience that comes with a BSN. You can also earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and become an advanced oncology certified nurse practitioner (AOCNP).

To be an oncology nurse, you must earn and maintain an RN license. While certification is not legally required to practice oncology nursing, many employers require or strongly prefer certification. Certification demonstrates your commitment to ongoing learning and specialized knowledge of oncology nursing.

This is the broadest oncology certification, focused on adult oncology nursing. You must have at least two years of nursing experience and 2,000 hours of adult oncology nursing experience within the last four years. You also need to participate in continuing education or have recent classroom hours and pass a certification examination.

This certification focuses on caring for pediatric patients with hematological cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma. For certification, you need two years of nursing experience and 2,000 hours of pediatric oncology nursing experience in the last four years. You must participate in continuing education or have recent classroom hours and pass a certification examination.

This certification covers prevention and treatment of breast cancer. You must have at least two years of nursing experience, plus 2,000 hours of pediatric breast care nursing experience in the last four years. Certification also mandates continuing education and passing a certification examination.

This certification focuses on blood and marrow transplants to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, hemophilia, and certain solid cancers. For certification, you need two years of nursing experience and 2,000 hours of blood and marrow transplant nursing practice in the last four years. Nurses should participate in continuing education or classroom hours and pass a certification exam.

You can become an AOCNP if you have an RN license and a degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program with a concentration in oncology, or in adult (primary or acute), family (across lifespan), gerontology, or women’s health. If you have a concentration in oncology, you must have 500 hours of oncology nursing experience. With one of the other concentrations, you need 1,000 hours of experience. You must also have two credits of graduate-level education or 30 hours of oncology continuing education.

Oncology nurses typically work in hospitals or stand-alone cancer centers, but may also work in home health care, ambulatory care, and long-term facilities or hospice care. In long-term care or hospice, you may work with patients with terminal cancer, and in hospice care, your focus may be on helping the patient manage pain rather than on treating the cancer.

Cancer causes physical and emotional issues for both patients and families. You must be able to maintain professionalism while showing empathy and personal concern. Being able to concentrate on how you can help patients and their loved ones, rather than on their suffering, can help protect you from burnout. Keep in mind that your self-care is also a form of patient care, since it helps you to assist them.

Oncology nurses earn a median $81,990 annually and an average of $36.83 per hour, according to Payscale data from October 2023. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all nursing jobs are projected to grow 6% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average for all jobs. As the U.S. population ages, oncology nurse jobs may grow faster.