Cancer nursing is one of the most needed specialties in the world. Nigeria has an estimated 300 oncology nurses for more than 100,000 new cancer cases a year, and Ghana’s Health Minister has named oncology a priority. Here is how to get into it.
What oncology nurses do
- Give chemotherapy and immunotherapy safely, and manage side effects.
- Care for patients having radiotherapy and surgery.
- Manage pain and symptoms, and provide palliative and end-of-life care.
- Educate patients and families, and support screening and early detection, for example of breast and cervical cancer.
Training routes
- In Nigeria: after general registration, take a post-basic oncology nursing programme. Only a couple of institutions currently train oncology nurses, so places are limited. Some universities now offer master’s and doctoral oncology nursing programmes.
- In the UK: nurses usually start on a cancer ward at Band 5. Trusts then fund chemotherapy competency training and postgraduate modules, leading to Band 6 specialist or clinical nurse specialist roles.
- In the US: work as an RN in oncology, then take the OCN certification (Oncology Certified Nurse) once you meet the experience requirements.
Skills that matter
- Safe handling of cytotoxic drugs: PPE, spill kits and waste disposal. These protect you as well as the patient.
- Vascular access care for cannulas, PICCs and ports.
- Recognising emergencies such as neutropenic sepsis.
- Communication skills for difficult conversations.
Why it’s a smart career move
Oncology is valued in Nigeria, the Gulf, the UK and the US, and specialist experience often counts toward higher grades abroad. Nigerian oncology nurses are also calling for specialist allowances, which would make staying at home more viable. To fund postgraduate study, see master’s scholarships for nurses.
Sources: News Agency of Nigeria (25 October 2026); Ghana News Agency (8 October 2026).