Every year, thousands of children get diagnosed with cancer, and during their toughest battles, they need more than just medicine; they need a hero. That’s where pediatric oncology nurses step in, offering care, comfort, and courage to young patients. A pediatric oncology nurse career is both challenging and rewarding, and in this blog, we will provide you with a road map on how to become a pediatric oncology nurse, educational requirements, certifications, and career outlook.
What is a pediatric oncology nurse?
Pediatric oncology nurses are registered nurses who play an important role in the treatment and support of young patients throughout their cancer journey. Pediatric oncology nurses not only handle their medical procedures but also provide emotional support to young patients and their families.
What is the role of pediatric oncology nurses?
If you are thinking of becoming a pediatric oncology nurse, then you must wonder what pediatric oncology nurses do. Here is the list of duties of a pediatric oncology nurse:
- Administer treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and cancer treatments to young patients.
- Monitor vital signs and overall condition of the patient.
- Help manage the pain and other side effects of the treatment, such as fatigue, nausea, etc.
- Pediatric oncology nurses also provide education, guidance, and emotional support to the young patients and their families.
- They also work closely with other healthcare team members such as oncologists, psychologists, etc, to provide comprehensive care to patients with cancer.
Educational requirements to become a pediatric oncology nurse
The educational pathway to becoming a pediatric oncology nurse is as follows:
Earn a nursing degree: First, you have to get a nursing degree, such as an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). ADN is a 2-year program, whereas BSN is a 4-year program. Many healthcare facilities prefer BSN.
Pass your NCLEX-RN exam: The next important step to become a pediatric oncology nurse is to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to get your nursing license. With this license, you can work legally in the United States.
If you are thinking of becoming a travel pediatric oncology nurse, then apply for the NCL license. It is a multi-state nursing license that allows you to work in compact states with only one license. It is best for travel nurses and increases the chance of pediatric oncology nurse job opportunities.
Get experience: To become a travel pediatric oncology nurse, it is important that you have at least 1 to 2 years of experience. This experience helps you to adjust to the new environment easily and develop strong clinical skills.
What certifications do pediatric oncology nurses need?
Certifications are not required, but they definitely boost your career opportunities and make you more competitive in the job market. Some of the certifications are as follows:
- CPON (Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse)
- CPHON (Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse)
- ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider Card
What skills do you need to become a successful pediatric oncology nurse?
You are dealing with young patients who are going through the hardest part of their lives, and to become a successful pediatric oncology nurse, you need clinical skills, emotional intelligence, and psychological skills.
- Clinical skills such as IV therapy, medication administration, oncology knowledge, pain management, and infection control skills.
- Effective communication skills are needed to communicate with young patients, their families, and other healthcare team members.
- Empathy and compassion.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Emotional resilience, etc.
What challenges do pediatric oncology nurses face?
Being a pediatric oncology nurse can be very challenging. Some of the challenges that pediatric oncologist nurses face are as follows:
- Emotional and psychological stress as they develop strong bonds with their patients and their families.
- Children may have difficulty communicating, which makes it difficult for the nurse to make an assessment.
- Pediatric oncologist nurses may also face difficulty in explaining the procedure to children so that it is age-appropriate and not frightening for the young patients.
- Sometimes pediatric oncologists also face ethical and moral challenges, such as end-of-life decisions.
- Work stress and fatigue are also part of being a pediatric oncologist nurse because of long shift hours and rotating shifts.
What is the average salary of a pediatric oncology nurse?
The salary of a pediatric oncology nurse depends on location, specialty, experience, and other factors. But the average salary of pediatric oncology nurses is $37.67 an hour.
How is pediatric oncology nursing different from general pediatric nursing?
General pediatric nurses take care of children with common illnesses or injuries, whereas pediatric oncologist nurses take care of children with cancer or blood disorders. Pediatric oncology nurses provide advanced care to children with cancer, which involves complex treatments such as chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, etc.
Conclusion
Pediatric oncology nursing is a challenging but rewarding career path where nurses take care of children with cancer. A pediatric oncology nursing career combines advanced clinical skills, emotional intelligence, advocacy, etc. To become a successful pediatric oncology nurse and make a difference in the lives of young patients fighting their battles with cancer, you must have clinical, emotional, psychological, and technical skills. If you are a travel nurse or want to become a travel nurse, then join SkillGigs and become part of our travel nursing world. SkillGigs gives you the opportunity to choose your own assignments, providing you with freedom and flexibility. Join SkillGigs and become a pediatric oncology travel nurse with us.
