The many important responsibilities of an oncology nurse
Oncology nurses provide support in a variety of different settings, but will carry out a broadly similar role wherever they are based. Whether in a hospital, hospice or involved in home care, oncology nurses form a crucial part of the team that will support a patient and their loved ones through the process of dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here at Last Call Healthcare, we’ve put together a list of some of the key responsibilities these professionals carry out in support of their patients and their families:
Educating patients to understand their condition - Education is an essential part of getting to grips with a disease like cancer. Oncology nurses provide close support and develop a rapport with their patient and their families to help provide information and support about the cancer and the treatment to come. An oncology nurse will learn the best way to communicate which stage the disease is at and provide enough information so that the patient and their family can be involved in the decision-making process.
Patient assessment - This is a vital part of being an oncology nurse, as being able to assess the physical and emotional state of the patient, as well as take into account a range of different factors such as the patient’s past health history, are important when deciding upon the best treatments. Furthermore, having an awareness and understanding of the results of pathology and imaging are essential in helping an oncology nurse to create an effective care plan.
Coordinating patient care - There may be many different specialists involved in treating someone who has cancer, with an oncology nurse acting as the main coordinator for each stage of the treatment process. This involves dealing with referrals, to ensuring that the patient’s wishes are being taken into account in terms of the way the care is delivered to make sure they are as comfortable as possible.
Carrying out direct patient care - Chemotherapy can be an essential part of cancer treatment and an oncology nurse is often responsible for administering this stage within a patient’s treatment regime. This means ensuring safe handling and documenting all the treatment that has been given, as well as being aware of potential allergic reactions by being familiar with the potential side effects this treatment brings.
Managing symptoms - This can be particularly relevant in terms of managing the side effects of chemotherapy, of which nausea and vomiting are two of the most common. An oncology nurse provides essential insight and support, helping patients to best manage the impact of treatment and other symptoms that may arise. This part of the role also often includes pain management, both in terms of pharmaceutical and non-drug options. Nurses spend more time with cancer patients than any other medical professionals and will have a great deal of understanding of, and insight into, pain and the way that this can be managed. From dealing with fears about addiction to understanding tolerance and avoiding over or under treatment, there are many ways in which the input of an oncology nurse is essential to this element of support.
For cancer patients and their families, the support of an oncology nurse is key when facing up to a cancer diagnosis head on. To find out more about our services in this area, visit our ‘Chemotherapy Nurses’ page to find out the support and roles that we can offer.
Educating patients to understand their condition - Education is an essential part of getting to grips with a disease like cancer. Oncology nurses provide close support and develop a rapport with their patient and their families to help provide information and support about the cancer and the treatment to come. An oncology nurse will learn the best way to communicate which stage the disease is at and provide enough information so that the patient and their family can be involved in the decision-making process.
Patient assessment - This is a vital part of being an oncology nurse, as being able to assess the physical and emotional state of the patient, as well as take into account a range of different factors such as the patient’s past health history, are important when deciding upon the best treatments. Furthermore, having an awareness and understanding of the results of pathology and imaging are essential in helping an oncology nurse to create an effective care plan.
Coordinating patient care - There may be many different specialists involved in treating someone who has cancer, with an oncology nurse acting as the main coordinator for each stage of the treatment process. This involves dealing with referrals, to ensuring that the patient’s wishes are being taken into account in terms of the way the care is delivered to make sure they are as comfortable as possible.
Carrying out direct patient care - Chemotherapy can be an essential part of cancer treatment and an oncology nurse is often responsible for administering this stage within a patient’s treatment regime. This means ensuring safe handling and documenting all the treatment that has been given, as well as being aware of potential allergic reactions by being familiar with the potential side effects this treatment brings.
Managing symptoms - This can be particularly relevant in terms of managing the side effects of chemotherapy, of which nausea and vomiting are two of the most common. An oncology nurse provides essential insight and support, helping patients to best manage the impact of treatment and other symptoms that may arise. This part of the role also often includes pain management, both in terms of pharmaceutical and non-drug options. Nurses spend more time with cancer patients than any other medical professionals and will have a great deal of understanding of, and insight into, pain and the way that this can be managed. From dealing with fears about addiction to understanding tolerance and avoiding over or under treatment, there are many ways in which the input of an oncology nurse is essential to this element of support.
For cancer patients and their families, the support of an oncology nurse is key when facing up to a cancer diagnosis head on. To find out more about our services in this area, visit our ‘Chemotherapy Nurses’ page to find out the support and roles that we can offer.
