Nursing Trends
Introduction
Nursing is a very challenging profession that involves a lot of responsibilities. From taking care of the sick and injured to promoting the health of people and families. Furthermore, updating doctors about the patient’s health and assisting surgeons in surgeries. All such responsibilities are dealt with by nurses. When you have to play a lot of roles in your profession then you have to be an all-rounder. This is what a nurse is called.
Being an all-rounder doesn’t mean that you cannot specialize in some specific field. When it comes to choosing a field for specialization, oncology is the one most loved by nurses. Now the question is, why? You need to read below to get this answer and learn more about oncology.
What Do Oncologists Do?
Oncologists are known to be specialized in cancer treatment. They deal with a lot of responsibilities. From assisting in the diagnosis of cancer to categorizing the stage of disease, to evaluating how severe the condition of a patient is.
The procedures on which oncology relies are biopsy which is a process of removing small pieces of tumor tissue after studying it properly under a microscope. X-rays, CT and MRI scanning, and endoscopy. It includes radiological techniques and some nuclear medicine ones too.
What Is Oncology Nursing All About?
Nursing is a dynamic field and when it comes to oncology nursing it has a lot of wonderful learning opportunities in store that is getting evolved constantly. It lets a nurse apply the knowledge they have gained through their nursing degree or certification. It involves clinical skills and therapeutic communication in research and teaching.
People of all ages who have been diagnosed with cancer are cared for by oncology nurses. Oncology is a difficult sector in which nurses help patients, families, and caregivers cope with the stress of diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the worry that comes with the disease’s many unknowns, including the possibility of death.
How to Become an Oncology Nurse?
A person needs to go through many steps to become specialized in the field of oncology or as one would say to become an oncology nurse. One needs to become a nurse first to move ahead. The first thing that needs to be done is to earn a nursing associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This will be done in a period of 2 to 4 years and can be done from a nursing school. After that, the NCLEX exam is what needs to be passed, including MCQs related to nursing practice.
Once you pass the exam, you need to obtain experience in oncology nursing. Pediatric oncology, surgical oncology, and blood and marrow transplants are just a few of the settings and expertise available from which you can decide. This experience will give you a chance of looking into oncology. You can also obtain an oncology nursing certification if you want to become highly specialized in cancer care.
If you are thinking of becoming an oncology nurse, here are some of the reasons why you should consider this career path:
Best Reasons to Become an Oncology Nurse
Oncology nursing is a dynamic field to be a part of. The majority of the nurses prefer to be specialized in oncology nursing and there are a lot of reasons behind the preferences. We are here to discuss some major ones below.
Closely Connected to Patients
Cancer is a disease that just not only comes with its physical consequences but with mental ones too. A cancer patient just only deals with body aches, nausea, and other symptoms of the disease but also with anxiety, depression, and fear of death. Amidst this, an oncology nurse plays a vital role in keeping their spirits high to deal with it like a warrior. They understand the patient’s psyche and deal with them accordingly.
This allows them to provide better care to them. Giving hope to the patient, bringing the patient’s family at ease by updating them about every major and minor detail, and spending good quality time with them is what closely connects an oncology nurse to patients. This is what every passionate nurse wants and this is why the majority of them would love to become one.
Standard Office Hours
Who doesn’t like to work during standard office hours? Where your timings are specified and you don’t have to worry about the next day’s schedule. When it comes to the medical field it is very difficult to work within specific office hours. Your shifts change many times a year. But if we talk about oncology nurses, they do enjoy the privilege of not being able to work round the clock.
The majority of chemo and biotherapy infusions have moved to outpatient care in the last few years. This is why it can be a fantastic field if you don’t have to work in messed-up schedules.
Oncology nurses make a difference in the lives of their patients
As an oncology nurse, you will be working with cancer patients who are dealing with a very difficult disease. You will be there to provide them with the care and support they need during this difficult time.
Oncology nurses often form close relationships with their patients and their families. So, if you are looking for a career where you can make a difference in the lives of others, oncology nursing may be the right choice for you.
Opportunities to Travel
Everybody loves traveling, right? Now imagine you are a nurse and your nursing job allows you to travel to different countries of the world. Sounds good, right? An oncology nurse gets a lot of opportunities to travel. They get paid to apply their nursing knowledge and experience in different parts of the world and trust us when we say that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. An oncology nurse can easily apply to work as a travel nurse and this is what makes this field a highly preferred one for a nurse.
Work With Professionals
Every field requires a skilled person who has prior experience in working in it. Among many things from which experience can be gained, working with professionals is the one that is the real game-changer. Oncology is a multidisciplinary field and here you get to work and deal with a lot of people from the medical field.
People like oncologists, surgeons, nursing assistants, physical therapists, pharmacists, and anesthesiologists are the ones an oncology nurse collaborates with and with that learn many things. It not just gives them that experience but also helps them in understanding patient care in a better way.
It is a rewarding career
While it can be challenging at times, working as an oncology nurse is a very rewarding career. Oncology nurses get to see their patients through some of the most difficult times in their lives, and they can feel proud knowing that they have made a difference in the lives of those they care for.
Plus, oncology nurses often have the opportunity to work with some of the latest treatments and technologies, which can be very exciting.
Oncology nurses are in high demand
Cancer rates are on the rise, which means that there is a growing need for oncology nurses. As an oncology nurse, you will have plenty of job opportunities available to you. And, because oncology nursing is a very specialized field, you can often command a higher salary than other types of nurses.
Also, because oncology nurses are in high demand, you will often have the opportunity to work with some of the best doctors and other medical professionals.
Receive great benefits
Oncology nurses often receive great benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans. Plus, many oncology nurses have the opportunity to work flexible hours and schedules. Oncology nurses also often have the opportunity to work from home, which can be a great perk. So, if you’re searching for a profession with great pay and benefits, oncology nursing might be the right fit for you.
Have the opportunity to advance their careers
If you are looking for a career with room for advancement, oncology nursing may be the right choice for you. Oncology nurses often have the opportunity to move up into management positions or to take on other roles within the medical field.
Also, because oncology nursing is such a specialized field, you can often find yourself in high demand by employers. So, if you are looking for a career with
plenty of opportunities for advancement, oncology nursing may be the right fit for you.
Oncology nurses have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology
Cancer treatment is constantly evolving, and oncology nurses have the opportunity to work with some of the latest treatments and technologies. As an oncology nurse, you will be on the front lines of cancer care, and you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those you care for.
So, if you are looking for a career that is exciting and ever-changing, oncology nursing may be the right choice for you.
Opportunity to work with some of the best doctors in the world
As an oncology nurse, you will have the opportunity to work with some of the best doctors in the world. You will be on the front lines of cancer treatment, and you will have the chance to make a huge impact in the lives of those you support. Oncology nursing may be the perfect fit for you if you are searching for a profession that is both engaging and satisfying.
Work with a variety of patients
Oncology nurses have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of patients, from those who are newly diagnosed to those who are nearing the end of their life. As an oncology nurse, you’ll have the chance to make a significant difference in people’s lives. Also, oncology nurses often form strong bonds with their patients and their families.
Oncology nurses also have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings
Oncology nurses can work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to clinics to private practices. This is a great career choice for those who are looking for flexibility and variety in their work life. Regardless of where you work as an oncology nurse, you will have the ability to make a genuine difference in the lives of those you treat.
Opportunity to work with a variety of other healthcare professionals
As an oncology nurse, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of other healthcare professionals, including doctors, social workers, and dietitians. This is a great career choice for those who are looking for a team-oriented environment.
Oncology nurses play a vital role in the cancer care team, and they are essential to providing high-quality care to patients. So without a doubt, being an oncology nurse is a rewarding and challenging career choice.
Make a real difference in the lives of those they care for
This is perhaps the most important reason to become an oncology nurse. As an oncology nurse, you will have the ability to make a significant difference in the lives of those you care for. You will be on the front lines of cancer care, and you will be able to provide support and compassion to those who need it the most.
Lastly, remember that you don’t have to be a nurse to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Anyone can volunteer, donate, or simply raise awareness about the disease. So no matter what your career choice is, you can still make a difference in the fight against cancer.
Positive perspective
Cancer can be a difficult and emotional journey for patients and their families. As an oncology nurse, you have the opportunity to provide support and care during this difficult time. You’ll also have the chance to see first-hand how strong and brave individuals are battling cancer.
In addition, you’ll be able to celebrate with patients when they reach milestones in their treatment. Seeing cancer from this positive perspective can be incredibly rewarding.
You will have patients coming back to visit you
Many oncology nurses build strong relationships with their patients. These patients often come back to visit the nurses who helped them through their cancer journey.
This is a great way to stay connected with your patients and see how they are doing after a treatment. It’s also a nice way to receive feedback about your care. Not forgetting, it’s always nice to be able to put a face to the name.
You will have the opportunity to teach patients and their families about cancer
As an oncology nurse, you will have the opportunity to teach patients and their families about cancer. This is a great way to help people understand the disease and its treatment. It’s also a way to provide support and guidance to those who are dealing with cancer.
In addition, teaching patients and families about cancer can help them make informed decisions about their care. This is an important part of being an oncology nurse.
Lastly, you can also learn a lot as an oncology nurse
Cancer is a complex disease, and there is always more to learn. As an oncology nurse, you will have the opportunity to learn about the latest treatments and research. You’ll also gain a better understanding of how to support patients and their families.
In addition, you’ll be able to share your knowledge with other healthcare professionals. This is a great way to keep up with the latest developments in the field of oncology nursing.
Conclusion
Nursing is an emotionally demanding profession, and oncology nurses care for patients with potentially terminal diagnoses. So why do you want to be an oncology nurse?
Oncology nurses have one of the most important jobs in the medical field. They are responsible for the care of cancer patients from the time of diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Oncology nurses are a vital part of the cancer care team, and they play a significant role in the lives of their patients.
Oncology nurses enter the field because they want to make a difference in the lives of their patients. They are passionate about providing the best possible care for their patients and supporting them through their journey with cancer. Oncology nurses are also highly skilled and knowledgeable about the latest treatments and research.
Becoming an oncology nurse is a very rewarding career choice. Oncology nurses provide care and support to cancer patients and their families, and they play a vital role in the cancer treatment process.
These were some reasons why a nurse wants to specialize in oncology.
