What is the primary focus of oncology nursing practice?

The primary focus of oncology nursing practice is providing care to patients with cancer throughout the trajectory of the disease. This encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including conducting assessments, facilitating treatment plans, managing symptoms and side effects, providing emotional support, and educating patients and their families about the disease and its management. Oncology nurses play a crucial role in coordinating care as patients navigate through different phases of the illness, from diagnosis to survivorship or end-of-life care.

The comprehensive nature of oncology nursing practice means that nurses are involved in every stage of the cancer journey, ensuring that patients receive holistic and patient-centered care. This focus helps to improve patient outcomes and quality of life, which are fundamental goals in oncology care.

While conducting research on cancer treatments, educating the public on cancer prevention, and assisting in surgical procedures are important aspects of the broader oncology field, they do not encapsulate the primary responsibility of oncology nursing. Nurses are primarily designated to focused patient care rather than the more specialized roles represented by the other options.