Opportunities for Continuing Education and Professional Development
Continuing educational opportunities are available and updated on a regular basis through ONS. All of the courses are specifically for oncology nurses. The ONS “is accredited with distinction as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The Oncology Nursing Society is approved as a provider of continuing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing” (ONS, 2019). Being able to access this information at a website is very helpful for busy nurses.
Registered nurses (RNs) can pursue certifications in oncology nursing and advanced degrees with a specialty in oncology. ONS can help with both. The ONS also offers links to scholarships and grants for nurses who want to pursue oncology. The path an oncology nurse takes begins with the documentation of their expertise, recognition from their colleagues, scholarships or grants to pursue further education, and constant motivation and proof of continued competence.
Nursing is already a good paying job, but if a nurse adds certifications to their degree, they can make even more money. Nurse.org (2015) says, “Oncology nurses can earn hourly pay of up to $42.25 for regular shifts and $72.88 for overtime. Compensation can reach $89,510 for experienced oncology nurses” (Nurse.org, 2015). If pay is not the motivator, then working with people who are seriously ill with cancer or recovering from the disease can be very rewarding. With the advancements being made in cancer therapy, it is also an exciting field with lots of innovations.
Conclusion
The ONS is a great professional nurses organization for oncology nurses. Oncology may not be my career specialty of choice in the future, but it is interesting to me. Knowing that there are innovative ways to treat cancer and that I could be on the cutting edge of new scientific discoveries makes this field very attractive to me.
References
ACRM. (2019). Why is Networking Important for Nurses. Retrieved from American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine: https://acrm.org/rehabilitatio...