What is the primary role of an oncology registered nurse?

The primary role of an oncology registered nurse is to provide comprehensive care to patients diagnosed with cancer. This encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including assessing patients' physical and emotional needs, educating them about their diagnosis and treatment options, managing symptoms and side effects related to cancer and its treatment, and providing support throughout the treatment process. Oncology nurses are key figures in coordinating care among different healthcare professionals, ensuring that patients receive holistic and tailored treatment plans.

While administering chemotherapy is an important task within this role, it is just one aspect of the broader responsibilities that oncology nurses undertake. Conducting research on cancer treatments and performing surgical procedures are specialized roles that fall outside the typical scope of an oncology registered nurse, as they are generally performed by researchers and surgeons, respectively. Therefore, the focus on holistic patient care clearly defines the primary role of an oncology nurse in the context of cancer care.