The Post Basic Diploma in Oncology Nursing is a 1-year specialized full-time clinical program designed for registered nurses who want to advance their expertise in cancer care, chemotherapy administration, radiation oncology, and palliative care.
Course Overview
- Duration: 1 academic year (12 months), balancing oncology theory, advanced chemotherapy simulation labs, and intensive clinical rotations in cancer wards.
- Objective: Equip nurses with the specialized skills needed to administer complex oncological treatments, manage treatment side effects, provide emotional support, and coordinate long-term cancer survivorship or end-of-life care.
- Governing Body: Approved and standardized by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and executed via recognized state medical universities, nursing colleges, and specialized cancer research centers.
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Completed General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) or B.Sc. Nursing / Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from an INC-recognized institution.
- Professional Registration: Must hold a valid, active registration as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (RN/RM) with any State Nursing Council.
- Work Experience: Minimum of 1 year of clinical experience as a staff nurse, preferably in a medical-surgical ward or general ICU, completed after graduation.
- Fitness: Certified as medically and physically fit to handle demanding clinical settings and strict safety protocols regarding hazardous drug handling.
Curriculum & Training
- Core Subjects: Pathophysiology of cancer, cancer epidemiology and prevention, chemotherapy administration and safety protocols, radiation therapy nursing, surgical oncology nursing, pediatric oncology, palliative and hospice care, and oncology emergency management.
- Clinical Postings: Intensive practical rotations in Medical Oncology Wards, Radiation Oncology Units, Surgical Oncology ICUs, Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Units, Chemotherapy Day Care Centers, and Palliative Care Facilities.
Career Scope & Job Roles
- Top Job Roles: Oncology Nurse Specialist, Chemotherapy Nurse, Palliative Care Nurse, Radiation Oncology Nurse, Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator, and Nurse Educator in cancer care.
- Average Salary Range: ₹3.5 LPA to ₹10 LPA, scaling higher based on specialized certifications, handling expertise, and the hiring hospital network.
- Major Recruiters: Premier dedicated cancer research institutes (such as Tata Memorial Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute), and apex government hospitals like AIIMS.