Oncology Nursing

Oncology involves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Oncology nursing is a speciality practice that focuses on the care and support of individuals who are at risk of getting cancer, who have cancer, or who are survivors of cancer. Oncology nurses care for all age groups, ranging from young children, adolescents as well as young adults, and adults to older individuals, and work in a range of settings (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, and community). They have expertise in prevention, care and support of individuals during diagnosis and the receiving of treatment, and in follow-up care for those with ongoing disease or for survivors.

Oncology nurses may be further specialized in such areas as pediatric oncology, the administration of chemotherapy, or the care of individuals with a specific type of cancer (e.g., breast cancer, head and neck cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, etc.) or palliative care.  They also work in innovative roles, such as nurse practitioners, nurse navigators, or patient education specialists. Oncology nurses can also hold positions as faculty members, administrators, or researchers.

The aim of this Section is to publish high-quality manuscripts that will contribute to the work and education of oncology nurses. We are interested in manuscripts of relevance to oncology nursing care across the cancer trajectory (including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, survivorship, end of life, and bereavement). All age groups, cancer types, and practice locations are relevant.

Manuscripts can have a focus on research, practice, education, administration, or policy. Topics could include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Care of inpatient, outpatient, or community-based populations;
• Care of individuals in rural and remote locations;
• Use of virtual approaches to provide oncology nursing care;
• Care for disadvantaged or marginalized populations;
• Symptom assessment and control;
• Patient education;
• Oncology nursing education;
• Innovations in oncology nursing care;
• Nurse-led approaches in oncology care;
• Fostering self-care management in cancer patients.