The evolution of oncology nursing: Leading the path to change

Abstract

The roles and responsibilities of oncology nurses have rapidly transformed over the past century from general nurses providing bedside comfort care with few technological advances to advanced practice oncology nurses responsible for everything from performing invasive procedures to diagnostic interpretation and screening for cancer prevention. As cancer care continues to evolve, nurses will play a key role in the field of oncology, whether as specialized oncology nurses providing clinical care or as nurse researchers spearheading groundbreaking oncology research.

Figure 1

A physician is changing the dressing on a patient’s neck, while a nurse holds the patient’s head. (Unknown, 1950)

Figure 2

Patient receiving Cobalt 60 cancer therapy. (Unknown, 1951)