A pediatric oncology nurse provides healthcare to children (infancy to adolescence) and performs numerous job functions on a typical day. Essential duties include preparing and administering chemotherapy under a physician's supervision, explaining treatment plans to the cancer patient's family, and assessing the physical and psychological needs of pediatric cancer patients.
Additional duties involve collaborating with the pediatric patient's medical team. This team may include the primary doctor who provides medical referrals, the oncologist who provides specialized knowledge, a social worker who may provide local support resources, and a dietician who may provide nutritional assessments because children with cancer have special nutritional needs.
Advanced pediatric oncology nurses may specialize in research and evaluate findings that affect pediatric patient care. Also, a pediatric nursing administrator is responsible for the training, hiring, and patient education for a medical practice or hospital department.
