Why do you want to work in Oncology?

"I want to work in Oncology because I want to make a difference in the fight against cancer, my interests in cancer treatments and research make me a strong job candidate, and I want to take an interdisciplinary approach to saving patient lives" is a good answer to this interview question. You should also highlight your academic success.

What is an oncology nurse and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.

An oncology nurse specializes in caring for patients with cancer. They administer medications, monitor patient well-being, provide education, and collaborate with healthcare professionals to implement treatment plans. Oncology nurses also play a vital role in advocating for their patients, ensuring they receive the best possible care. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and hospice facilities. Overall, oncology nurses provide compassionate and holistic care to those affected by cancer.

What general advice would you give to an oncology nurse?

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

One of the suggestions for new graduates is the importance of self-care. We have long known of the demanding nature of the nursing practice. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nursing role's critical importance and the unique contributions made by nursing professionals. As the healthcare environment is extremely complex and challenging, nurses must remember to advocate for themselves and prioritize self-care.

ScoreOncology NurseUS Average

Salary

5.7

Avg. Salary $72,372

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 8.92%

Black or African American 11.91%

Hispanic or Latino 8.73%

Unknown 4.24%

White 65.76%

Gender

female 91.06%

male 8.94%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an oncology nurse?

Pros

Opportunities for professional growth and development
Job security
Competitive salary and benefits
Opportunities to specialize in a specific area of oncology nursing
Flexibility in scheduling and work hours

Cons

High stress and fast-paced environment
Heavy workload and long hours
Exposure to hazardous chemicals and radiation
Limited resources and staffing shortages
Balancing the emotional toll with personal life

Key steps to become an oncology nurse

Explore oncology nurse education requirements

Most common oncology nurse degrees

Bachelor's

52.0 %

Associate

31.1 %

Master's

9.6 %

Start to develop specific oncology nurse skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	33.96%
Chemotherapy	6.85%
Medical Oncology	4.52%
Patient Education	4.45%
Hematology Oncology	3.33%

Complete relevant oncology nurse training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New oncology nurses learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an oncology nurse based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real oncology nurse resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming an licensed oncology nurse usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed oncology nurse in most of states. 43 states require oncology nurses to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	State exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Arkansas	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse

Gain additional oncology nurse certifications

Oncology nurse certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific oncology nurse certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for oncology nurses include Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) and Basic Life Support (BLS).

More About Certifications

Research oncology nurse duties and responsibilities

Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
Gain significant experience in diverse areas of nursing process for oncology and transplant patients; administer chemotherapy and blood products.
Initiate CPR on nonresponsive patients.
Provide intravenous therapy in a home bound setting to include simple chemo therapy and PICC care along with other VADS.

Prepare your oncology nurse resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your oncology nurse resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an oncology nurse resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable oncology nurse resume templates

Build a professional oncology nurse resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your oncology nurse resume.