Oncology nursing
Oncology Nursing
Oncology Nursing (pronunciation: on-kol-uh-jee nur-sing) is a specialized field of nursing that involves the care of patients diagnosed with cancer.
Etymology
The term 'Oncology Nursing' is derived from two words. 'Oncology' comes from the Greek word 'onkos' meaning bulk or mass, and 'logos' meaning study. Thus, oncology refers to the study of tumors or cancers. 'Nursing' comes from the Latin word 'nutrire', which means to suckle or nourish, indicating the provision of care and nourishment to patients.
Role and Responsibilities
Oncology nurses are responsible for providing care and support to patients throughout their cancer journey. This includes administering chemotherapy, managing symptoms and side effects, providing emotional support, educating patients about their disease and treatment options, and coordinating care with other healthcare professionals.
Related Terms
- Chemotherapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.
- Palliative Care: Specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses, focusing on providing relief from symptoms and stress.
- Hematology: The study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood diseases.
- Surgical Oncology: A specialty that focuses on the surgical treatment of a variety of tumors.
Education and Certification
To become an oncology nurse, one must first become a registered nurse (RN) by completing a nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. After gaining experience in oncology nursing, nurses can choose to become certified through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). Certification options include Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON), and Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP), among others.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oncology nursing
- Wikipedia's article - Oncology nursing
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