Oncology Nurse Practitioner (ONP) Career
What Do You Do in This Career?
Oncology nurse practitioners work with cancer patients by administering treatment, providing advice and collaborating with physicians to accompany a patient through their struggle and recovery from cancer. An ONP may be the first point of contact a patient has at an oncology clinic. They take patient health histories, perform exams, and order diagnostic tests, as well as help the doctors as their support staff.
Salary and Career Path
- Salary: Nurse practitioners in the field of oncology earn similar salaries to other specialized nurse practitioners, making around $62,436-$95,338 per year.
- ONP Requirements: ONPs need to get a bachelor’s degree, Master of Science in nursing, and a certification at the state or national level, which must be periodically renewed.
- Work Environment: ONPs typically work in cancer centers or private practices that care for cancer patients. An ONP may work with a cancer patient from diagnosis through treatment, recovery, and continued testing.
What Kind of Coursework Can You Expect in This Program?
Nurse practitioners already need their 4-year degree and RN license before enrolling in the master’s level NP program. Within the nurse practitioner master’s degree programs, the oncology specialty coursework includes acute care, pathophysiology, pharmacology, research, and clinical exams. Clinical training for ONPs take place with oncologists or hematologists, and other experienced nurse practitioners. Only 23 programs in the U.S. offer an ONP specialty.
Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a graduate-level degree. While in most states RNs currently need only a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree to become nurse practitioners, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) be the minimum requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Listed below are the best online colleges offering accredited MSN and DNP degrees.
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Georgetown University — The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers two online Master of Science in nursing degrees. The MS in family nurse practitioner program prepares students for careers as family nurses. The MS in midwifery / women's health nurse practitioner program perpares students for careers as nurse practitioners who specialize as midwives and caring for female patients. |
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University of Phoenix — The Master of Science in nursing for nurse practitioners from the University of Phoenix is a flexible online program from an accredited school. Students will learn advanced nursing skills, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research. Upon completion, graduates will be well prepared to advance their nursing careers. MSN specialties are offered in health education and health informatics. Dual degrees (MSN + MBA and MSN + MHA) are also available. |
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Kaplan University — The MSN nurse administration, nurse education, and nurse informatics degree programs from Kaplan allows nurses with bachelor's degrees to take their careers to the next level. Students of these programs will learn advanced nursing theory, health policy, evidence-based decision making, financing, and more. |
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University of Cincinnati — The MS in nursing degree program with a specialization in women's health practice offered online by the University of Cincinnati is geared toward nursing students wanting to receive expert training on women's health issues. Cincinnati also offers many other nurse practitioner degree programs, including MSN specialties in clinical nursing, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric & mental health nursing. |
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South University — South University has built a reputation on class flexibility and affordability. Their MSN program for nurse practitioners is no exception. This program is ideal for registered nurses who may be too busy with work for full-time campus classes, but looking for professional advancement in their respective careers by earning an online degree. |
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