Oncology Nurses Help Patients Battle Cancer

Giving chemotherapy is just a small part of what oncology nurses do. Among their responsibilities are managing other medicines to combat the effects of cancer and its treatments, and much more. "My job includes a lot of multitasking," said Theresa Brunner, a clinical nurse supervisor at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. As experts in pain management, "we deal with all types of oral and IV medications. We also provide palliative and end-of-life care."

More than 1.4 million new cases of cancer occurred in the U.S. in 2007, according to the American Cancer Society. Patients come with sarcoma, leukemia and lymphoma, as well as lung, ovarian, breast and colorectal cancers ? to name a few. They come at initial diagnosis, during treatment and afterward, and in the final stages, said Joyce Lee, a registered nurse in oncology at Presbyterian Hospital. ?

"There is a fairly high demand for patient, compassionate, sensitive nurses," Ms. Lee said. "When oncology nurses do not take care of themselves, there can be a risk for burnout."

Oncology nurses work in hospitals, outpatient units and doctors' offices. There are also jobs as case managers at insurance companies, just as with other nursing specialties. The pharmaceutical industry welcomes oncology nurses, too, said Ms. Jacobs of M.D. Anderson. "There is also the opportunity to work managing clinical trials, which is what I currently do," she said of her role as a senior research nurse in gastrointestinal medical oncology.

At hospitals, sign-on bonuses are common for nurses who specialize in particular areas such as oncology, emergency room services or intensive care. The ongoing national nursing shortage means those who have years of experience and are certified can expect to be in great demand, said Jennifer Goodman, a senior oncology registered nurse at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Ms. Goodman, 33, has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Now, she is a triage nurse who draws blood and administers injections that complement the care of chemotherapy patients.

To become a certified oncology nurse, eligible nurses must pass a rigorous and comprehensive exam offered through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corp. Certification is valid for four years and may be renewed, said Cyndi Miller Murphy, a registered nurse and executive director of the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization.

There are more than 25,000 oncology certified nurses all but a few hundred live in the U.S. The organization, which offers several credentials in this niche, administered its first exam in 1986. The Oncology Nursing Society, affiliated with the group, offers a chemotherapy training course. Nurses who complete the course receive a chemotherapy provider card.

Membership in the society grew to 36,497 last year, a 6 percent increase from 2006. Membership has risen by more than 10,000 since 1998, said spokeswoman Jeanette Kent. Active members must be registered nurses. There is also an associate member category for other health care professionals.

Source: Dallas Morning News, Susan Kreimer, 4/21/8