How to Become an Oncology Nurse Practitioner
The medical community is finally accepting oncology nurse practitioners (ONPs), although these caregivers are more prevalent in women’s health and primary care facilities at this time. For many, this is the perfect caregiver, because the oncology nurse practitioner combines the patience and compassion of bedside nurses with the critical thinking and assessment skills necessary to a member of an oncology team. In many facilities, the ONP is the primary point of contact for a cancer patient. These caring professionals order diagnostic tests, take health histories, serve as support to doctors, and perform exams. Are you ready to start a rewarding new career in which you can earn an excellent salary while providing care to those who need you most? Get your career training today. There has never been a better time than now to go back to college and take the steps necessary for how to become an oncology nurse practitioner.
How to become an oncology nurse practitioner – education and training
If you are interested in how to become an oncology nurse practitioner, you must complete a master’s degree program in nursing with a specialization in oncology. Before you can be accepted to such a program, however, you must complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing and become licensed as a registered nurse. This portion of your training will take around four years of full-time study and will involve a great deal of hands-on clinical practice. You must also pass the NCLEX-RN exam in order to become a licensed registered nurse.
Once you complete your undergraduate program, the next step of how to become an oncology nurse practitioner is to earn your masters degree from one of the 23 programs available at colleges and universities around the United States. It is vital that you take the time to compare programs in order to pick the one that is best for you. Look at the content of the program, the overall cost, the location of the school, and the student services that are available before making a final decision.
Although programs may vary somewhat from one school to the next, you can expect certain common elements among all programs. The common courses include such topics as acute care, pathophysiology, pharmacology, research, and clinical examinations. There will also be a clinical experience element that will be completed under the supervision of oncologists, hematologists, and their experienced nurse practitioners. Although an oncology nurse practitioner specialty is recommended for this position, you may also work in oncology with a nurse practitioner degree in another field, such as women’s health, pediatrics, or gerontology.
Career information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field of oncology nurse practitioner is expected to grow drastically over coming years. This outlook combined with the excellent salary and benefits provided by the job makes this the ideal time to enter this exciting profession.
By following the steps of how to become an oncology nurse practitioner, you are taking a huge step toward establishing yourself in a solid career field as well as improving the overall quality of your life. Instead of spending another day in a job you hate, get started on the path to this rewarding job now.
