Job Description of a Pediatric Oncology Nurses
A pediatric oncology nurse cares for infants, children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with cancer.
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Types
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A pediatric oncology nurse may be a clinical nurse, a case manager, an educator, a researcher or an administrator.
Functions
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Clinical pediatric oncology nurses provide bedside care to children with cancer, administer chemotherapy drugs that kill cancer cells and/or provide family education. Case managers help families navigate the complexities of cancer care and the health care system. Educators teach other nurses, researchers participate in clinical trials of new cancer treatments and administrators oversee cancer care.
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Settings
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A pediatric oncology nurse may be employed by an acute care hospital or a hospital dedicated to cancer care. She also may work in an outpatient chemotherapy center, a physician's office or home health.
Requirements
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A pediatric oncology nurse is an RN with either an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or, preferably, a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). Some employers require specialty certification through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.
Salary
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According to Pay Scale.com, the average salary for oncology nurses in the United States is $55,533 a year.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of The U.S. Army
