Oncology - Nursing Specialist (definition of)

An oncology nurse is part of a cancer treatment team; his/her function is to provide optimal management of the patient. Most are hospital employees; their main job is to provide and supervise care for cancer patients whose diseases are in a chronic or critical stage, such as those with mesothelioma. Oncology nurses monitor patients' physical conditions, prescribe medication, develop symptom management strategies, and administer radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Oncology nurses are also responsible for providing cancer-related education and counseling as well as services related to cancer prevention, screening and detection.

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation was established in 1985 in order to provide for the formal certification of oncology nurses. Nurses who successfully complete the proper training and thus become certified are allowed to use the letters OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse) credential along with RN and LPN.