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Mission
Statement
Oncology nurses at the Massachusetts General Hospital
Cancer Center take pride in the delivery of compassionate
care in an evolving health care environment. Patients and
their families are the primary focus of our practice.
As integral members of a multidisciplinary team, nurses provide
the balance between innovative, expert treatment and personalized
care. We are committed to maintaining the highest professional
standards and continue to keep abreast of the latest treatments
and technologies through research, certification, and life
long learning. We foster the ongoing development of our colleagues
through mentorship and peer support.
Oncology nurses at the Cancer Center value an environment
that respects diversity, enhances quality of life, and preserves
human dignity. Nurses in the Cancer Center provide:
- Care for patients in all phases of diagnosis and treatment.
- We collaborate closely with your doctor, nurse practitioner,
physical therapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, social
worker, pharmacist, and chaplain to provide comprehensive,
individualized care during your treatment journey.
- We strive to provide expert nursing care to maximize
health, enhance quality of life, relieve suffering, and
provide education and support to patients and their families.
- Our role in patient care is multidisciplinary, actively
assisting and supporting patients during diagnostic and
therapeutic procedures, administering chemotherapy, providing
perioperative care, closely monitoring patients for changes
in health status, and coordinating discharge planning.
- Nurses work in both inpatient and outpatient settings
and in multiple specialty areas including medical oncology,
surgical oncology, radiation oncology, bone marrow transplant,
gynecologic oncology, pediatric oncology, infusion, the
outpatient clinics, and research and protocol development.
- We contribute to the total patient care effort in our
various roles of staff nurse, nurse practitioner, case manager
clinical nurse specialist, IV nurse, nurse manager, and
nurse researcher
- We maintain certifications in the implementation of specialized
treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, IV therapy,
and blood transfusion.
Massachusetts General Hospital offers a rich environment
- Professional development is an important
aspect of the nursing practice experience. The Patient Care
Services Clinical Recognition Program facilitates movement
along the novice-to-expert continuum.
- Qualified staff nurses earn promotional recognition as
Advanced Clinicians or Clinical Scholars for demonstration
of expert knowledge, skill, and judgment. We actively participate
in the larger hospital, local, and national community of
nurses, sharing the evolving body of knowledge that supports
excellent nursing practice.
- We participate in the Patient Care Services Collaborative
Governance as well as multidisciplinary practice committees,
thereby providing meaningful input into policies and
decisions, which affect patient care and the quality
of professional life. We regularly attend courses to
increase our knowledge of complex, cutting-edge treatment
modalities, present scholarly works at in-house meetings,
local programs, and national conventions, and we are
involved with independent and collaborative research
initiatives. The Cancer Center actively supports pursuit
of advanced degrees and independent research projects.
How
We Make A Difference
 As
nurses at the Cancer Center, we are committed to maximizing
quality of life, enhancing autonomy, and making sure our patients
feel cared for and cared about. We work together to provide
continuity of care, facilitate seamless transition from one
treatment area to another, and establish ongoing resources
for our patients and their families following discharge.
Oncology
Nurses & Their Roles
What
is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) begin their training by
becoming registered nurses (RNs) and continue their education
by earning a Master’s Degree in Nursing. An RN might
have worked for years before going back to school and therefore
has a wealth of practical experience in nursing. After completing
the Master’s Degree, they choose an area of medicine
or a specific disease category in which they specialize.
Your NP will have specialized in oncology (cancer). Additionally,
a nurse practitioner must take national examinations to become
Board certified, and subsequently licensed by the State Board
of Nursing. They practice under the rules and regulations
of the state in which they work. NPs have been treating patients
for over four decades, providing safe, cost-effective and
quality health care.
What does a Nurse practitioner do?
Nurse Practitioners work in collaboration with oncology doctors
at the Cancer Center. For instance, you might see your NP
for a follow-up visit, or an urgent care visit. Your NP can
work with you to manage symptoms of your disease or treatment.
Your NP can be a liaison for you for the rest of the health
care team to make sure you receive the best care possible.
Your NP will probably join you and your doctor for consultation
visits to discuss the course of your cancer treatment. Be
assured your doctor and your NP will be in constant touch
about your care.
Your NP has the training and the experience to provide any
of the following
- Obtain a health history
- Perform physical examinations
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests (e.g. x-rays,
blood test)
- Prescribe medications
- Manage symptoms
- Perform various procedures (such as bone marrow biopsy)
- Monitor health status
- Teach and counsel patients
- Collaborate with doctors and other health care providers
- Refer to doctors or other specialists
Professional
Development
We welcome new graduate nurses to our team and support
them through a twelve-month professional development program
focused on the nursing care of oncology patients.
Read more
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