Oncology Nurse

Also called: Cancer Nurse, Chemo Nurse, OCN

Cares for people with cancer, including giving chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

A day in the life

Double-checks a chemo dose with another nurse, starts the infusion, and watches for reactions while talking a nervous patient through their third cycle. Long-term relationships with patients are a big part of the job.

Pay over a career

Starting
$68k
Typical
$94k
High
$130k

Estimate based on BLS registered nurses (May 2025 median about $95k); specialty and region shift pay.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. ADN or BSN, RN license, then experience in the specialty; certification optional.

Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Nursing.

Outlook

Growing faster than average. Tracks registered nurses overall (faster than average).

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. AI helps dose chemo and flag side effects; giving infusions and supporting patients through cancer stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & physiology, Psychology.

Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1141.

More Nursing careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.