Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Program Description
The Oncology Nurse Practitioner Program enables students to pursue scholarly activities in the nursing care of patients with cancer and their families. The program is based on a holistic philosophy of patient care in which the faculty and students integrate patients’ biophysical, psychological, cognitive, and spiritual needs to provide the highest quality of nursing care.
Through participation in the program, students will:
- Acquire expertise in the most recent therapeutic interventions for patients with cancer and their families
- Learn current assessment, intervention, and outcome evaluation skills guiding advanced nursing practice for cancer patients
- Experience the latest developments in health care technology, particularly around the detection and prevention of cancer treatment modalities
- Acquire symptom management strategies, including chronic pain management and integrative therapies
The Oncology Nurse Practitioner Program prepares students to excel as advanced practice nurses in several modes: (1) as nurse practitioners in oncology primary health care facilities and (2) as nurse practitioners providing and coordinating quality cancer care for patients from diverse populations and settings.
The Program Director of the Oncology Nurse Practitioner specialty is Anita Nirenberg, MS, RN, PNP, BC, AOCNP.
Admission
Please contact the Office of Admissions for details regarding admission and financial aid packages. Faculty review applications on a rolling basis so that students may apply to begin this program in the summer or fall semester. Please note, applications for the Oncology NP Program can only be submitted online.
Admission criteria include:
- Current New York State nursing license or eligibility
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program (Master’s degree required for Certificate Program)
- Minimum of one year clinical experience in oncology
- An undergraduate course in statistics
- A physical assessment course
- Satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Three references attesting to applicant’s academic ability and potential
- Personal goal statement that is congruent with program goals (two pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum
For master’s students in adult, geriatric, family, pediatric, women's health and psych/mental health primary care:
- Same curriculum as the primary care master’s programs, with clinical experience in oncology
- The following additional courses:
| Course | Credits |
| Oncology Nursing Theory I* |
2 |
| Oncology Nursing Theory II | 3 |
| OR | |
| Cancer in Childhood (Pediatric or Family Students) | 2 |
| Symptom Management and Palliative Care in Oncology | 2 |
| Symptom Management and Palliative Care in Oncology (Clinical) | 2 |
| Optional: Symptom Management and Palliative Care in Oncology | 2 |
| * OCN certified nurses may seek advanced standing | |
| For master's prepared nurses seeking a University Statutory Certificate: Each student's program plan is to be individually assessed. If certified as NP in any of the primary or acute care specialties, the following courses will be required. In addition, core courses such as Genetics for Advance Practice Nurses or Health Policy may be required. | |
| Students may also take courses in sub-specialties such as Palliative Care or Cancer Genetics for additional course work and credits. | |
| Oncology Nursing Theory I* | 3 |
| Oncology Nursing Theory II | 3 |
| OR | |
| Cancer in Childhood (pediatric students) | 2 |
| Symptom Management and Palliative Care in Oncology | 2 |
| Symptom Management and Palliative Care in Oncology (clinical) | 3 |
| In addition, students may want to add a sub specialty such as: | |
| Genetics for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Genetics Concentration: Cancer Genetics | 2 |
| Genetics Practicum: Cancer Genetics | 2 |
| OR | |
| Introduction to Palliative Care | 3 |
| Seminar in Palliative Care | 3 |
| Palliative Care Clinical | 3 |
| * OCN certified nurses may seek advanced standing | |
School of Nursing
The School of Nursing has paved the way for professional nursing since 1892 and continues to lead the field as the foremost institution for advanced practice nursing.
The School of Nursing is a designated World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing Development in Advanced Practice. With urban clinical sites, expert faculty practitioners, cutting edge research, and the strength of the Columbia name and reputation, the School of Nursing produces graduates who possess the skills necessary to bring advanced practice nursing into the new millennium. As medical advances offer a cascade of new and useful therapies, the need for more health care providers will increase exponentially. Our country will face many health care challenges in the next 20 years, and nurse practitioners are essential to providing access to quality primary care.
Founded in 1892 as Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, the School became part of Columbia University in 1937 and began offering the baccalaureate degree. It is one of the oldest schools of nursing in the US. In 1956, it became the first nursing program in the country to award a master’s degree in a clinical nursing specialty. In 1999, the School granted its first doctoral degree. More than 9,000 nurses have graduated since the School opened.
The School shares the Columbia University Health Sciences Campus with the Mailman School of Public Health, the School of Dental and Oral Surgery, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Each of these schools adds to the richness and diversity of the educational experience of students and faculty.
School of Nursing faculty have substantial experience in curriculum, instructional design, and research. They maintain expertise in their areas of teaching responsibility through participation at local, regional, and national conferences, involvement in scholarly presentations and publications, and faculty practice.
Columbia University School of Nursing is distinguished by the clinical excellence of its programs and graduates.Columbia nurses are making crucial contributions and improving the health of individuals wherever they practice.
The above information is current as of 6/08 and is subject to change at any time.