- Oncology nurses can either go to a two- or four-year nursing program to become a registered nurse (RN). Both programs allow a person to become a nurse, but the four-year program will allow faster and better job advancement, as well as allow a RN to become an advanced practice nurse (APN).
- Some potential nursing students already have a college degree, just not in nursing. Those individuals may be eligible for an accelerated nursing program that can grant a nursing degree in only a year. This program may be tied to a masters program, ultimately allowing students to graduate in a shorter period of time.
- Passing the nursing licensure examination, also called the NCLEX-RN, is required of all nurses before practice.
- Nurses master's in nursing at an accredited school with classes targeted towards oncology. These programs grant a Masters in Nursing. Although Clinical Nurse Specialists may become oncology nurses, some certifications are limited to nurse practitioners.
- Both nurse practitioners and registered nurses may take a certification exam for oncology. These are generally not required to practice, but are strongly demonstrative of skill or ability in the field, and may in fact be required for employment. There are several certifications; the largest is the Oncology Nurses Certification Corporation.
- Most states have continuing educational requirements for all advanced practice nurses (NP and CNS), and some states have continuing education for registered nurses. This varies by state and is controlled by the state licensing board.
