While there are many nursing roles in the hospital, home and hospice , the majority of cancer nurses work in hospitals. Most cancer centers and many community hospitals have wards devoted to cancer treatment— oncology units—staffed by oncology nurses.
Hospital staff nurses provide direct care to patients over eight-, ten- or twelve-hour shifts. During your hospital stay you will probably come in contact with a great variety of nurses with different levels of training and responsibilities.
• Nurse's aides or hospital attendants complete a training program and may have many years of experience. They
can give you direct hands-on care, but do not give medications.
• Registered Nursing Assistants (RNAs) complete an educational program and can give medications and direct
care. They work collaboratively with Registered Nurses (RNs).
• RNs receive their education from community college or university programs. An RN may hold a diploma in
nursing (from a two- to three-year program) or a bachelor degree in nursing (from a four-year program).
Oncology nursing is a specialty in nursing requiring additional preparation beyond basic preparation. Some
oncology nurses have earned additional speciality certificates in oncology nursing through recognized
continuing education programs.
• Some nurses receive master's degrees in cancer nursing. They practice as clinical nurse specialists, managers or
researchers. Or they choose to continue to work as staff nurses at the bedside. In advanced clinical practice,
these nurses teach and act as role models for other nurses, take part in advanced problem-solving, conduct
