How to hire a pediatric oncology nurse

How to hire a pediatric oncology nurse, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pediatric oncology nurse hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pediatric oncology nurse job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pediatric oncology nurse
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The pediatric oncology nurse hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect pediatric oncology nurse also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of pediatric oncology nurses.

   Type of Pediatric Oncology Nurse	Description	Hourly rate
   Pediatric Oncology Nurse	Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.	$20-69
   Nurse Coordinator	A nurse coordinator is primarily in charge of overseeing all nurses and their activities in a hospital or clinic. Their responsibilities include managing and rotating schedules, assessing nurse performance, organizing nursing programs, and developing strategies to optimize procedures... Show more	$29-49
   Nurse Clinician	A nurse clinician is a health expert who provides care and assistance to patients in hospitals, clinics, or similar establishments. Among their responsibilities include preparing equipment and documents, administering medication, monitoring the patient's condition, maintaining charts, and regularly reporting to physicians... Show more	$23-42

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • BLS
   • Hematology Oncology
   • Chemotherapy
   • Hematology
   • Oncology
   • Primary Care
   • ICU
   • Patient Education
   • IV
   • Family Education
   • Sickle Cell Disease
   • Outpatient Clinic
   • CPR

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
   • Provide care to pediatric hematology and oncology, including bone marrow transplant patients on an inpatient unit overnight.
   • Provide developmentally appropriate quality patient care for pediatric patients with hematology/ oncology conditions in a fast-pace inpatient hospital setting.
   • Set up, operate, and monitor specialized equipment such as cardiac monitors, defibrillators, and 12 lead EKG.
   • Prepare assessments and implement nursing care for patient receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
   • Complete continuing education classes, in-services and seminars to master chemotherapy administration and bone marrow transplant nursing.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pediatric oncology nurse job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A pediatric oncology nurse salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, pediatric oncology nurses' average salary in maine is 58% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pediatric oncology nurses earn 70% less than senior-level pediatric oncology nurses.
   • Certifications. A pediatric oncology nurse with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a pediatric oncology nurse's salary.

   Average pediatric oncology nurse salary

   $79,761yearly

   $38.35 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pediatric oncology nurse salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a pediatric oncology nurse job description

   A pediatric oncology nurse job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a pediatric oncology nurse job description:

   Pediatric oncology nurse job description example

   MED: Pediatrics
   
   The vision of the Department of Pediatrics is the healthiest future for all children and families through outstanding patient care, transformative research, innovative medical education, and community-based advocacy.
   
   Job Summary
   
   Final Filing Date
   
   October 19, 2022
   
   Salary Range
   
   $75.04 - $99.02
   
   Salary Frequency
   
   Hourly
   
   Appointment Type
   
   Career
   
   Number of Positions
   
   1
   
   Percentage of Time
   
   100%
   
   Shift Hour
   
   Variable 8 Hour Shifts
   
   Location
   
   Main Hospital
   
   City
   
   Sacramento
   
   Union Representation
   
   Yes
   
   Benefits Eligible
   
   Yes
   
   We offer exceptional employment benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, generous paid vacations and holidays, excellent retirement savings and investment plans, continuing education, and reduced fee and scholarship programs
   
   THIS IS NOT AN H1- B OPPORTUNITY
   
   Responsibilities
   
   Under the supervision of the Chief of the Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, the Nurse Practitioner is responsible for clinical care following specific standardized procedures. The Nurse Practitioner provides primary care to ambulatory and/or inpatient Hematology/Oncology patients through regular health assessment and management of common acute and stable conditions. The primary role of the Nurse Practitioner is to collaborate with other health care professionals in assessing and managing health care problems, maintaining continuity of care and coordinating services the patient requires in an inpatient or outpatient setting. The Nurse Practitioner will also oversee and help coordinate the daily operations of the UC Davis Infusion Centers in collaboration with Hematology/Oncology physicians. The Nurse Practitioner will also teach UCDMC nursing staff. The Nurse Practitioner will participate in research projects in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. The Nurse Practitioner will also teach pediatric nursing staff and residents and participate in research projects within the section.
   
   The work hours for this position are variable but include coverage of the Pediatric Infusion Room operating hours (0800 to 2000) and occasional Saturdays.
   
   Required Qualifications
   
   * At least one year experience as a Nurse Practitioner
   
   * Direct clinical experience managing pediatric hematology/oncology patient population.
   
   * Current AHA CPR/BLS Certification
   
   * National board certification in an aligned specialty with the practice area
   
   * Graduation with a Master's degree, DNP or PhD in Nursing from an accredited School of Nursing
   
   * Possession of valid California RN and Nurse Practitioner license without restrictions
   
   * Furnishing license
   
   * DEA within 3 months of hire
   
   * Judgement skills to effectively meet the needs of patients
   
   * Excellent verbal and written communication skills
   
   * Self-direction and organizational skills to function in an independent role
   
   * Ability to cope with personal stress experienced by team members, other professionals, and caretakers
   
   * Ability to perform patient procedures
   
   Applicants are encouraged to upload license and certification if required of the position.
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   
   * Pediatric IV Certification
   
   Special Requirements
   
   * Physical ability and technical skills to perform a variety of medical procedures including lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations (training can be provided).
   
   * May be required to take call on nights and weekends as needed as part of the pediatric hematology/oncology medical team
   
   * Knowledge of approved abbreviations for UCDMC medical records
   
   * Ability to meet minimum standards for hospital credentialing and billing standards as a billable provider.
   
   * Ability to work flexible hours.
   
   * References reflect an overall meet or exceeds.
   
   * Ability to work overtime and work weekends and holidays.
   
   * This position may be subject to a criminal background investigation, drug screen, Live Scan fingerprinting, medical evaluation clearance, and functional capacity assessment.
   
   * The University of California has implemented a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Policy (ucop.edu) covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, employees must submit proof of vaccination or a University-approved exception or deferral.
   
   Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
   
   At UC Davis, we're solving life's most urgent challenges to bring a fuller, healthier, and more resilient world within reach. We grow from every challenge we take on and we don't just maintain - we improve.
   
   We recognize that creating an inclusive and intellectually vibrant organization means understanding and valuing both our individual differences and our common ground. The most comprehensive solutions come from the most diverse minds and you belong here.
   
   As you consider joining UC Davis, please explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education, and our latest efforts to outgrow the expected.
   
   The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find pediatric oncology nurses for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any pediatric oncology nurses they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level pediatric oncology nurses with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pediatric oncology nurse job on Zippia to find and recruit pediatric oncology nurse candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit pediatric oncology nurses, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pediatric oncology nurse

   Once you've found the pediatric oncology nurse candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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