title: The role of licensed nursing personnel in radiation oncology part B: integrating the ambulatory care nursing conceptual framework.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the professional opportunities for licensed nursing personnel in radiation oncology within the conceptual framework developed for ambulatory care nurses by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Published articles and books.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using AAACN's framework, the researchers identified three roles that are part of every ambulatory care nurse's practice and can be readily customized to radiation oncology: an organizational/systems role, a professional role, and a clinical nursing role. Incorporating the described framework into a radiation oncology nurse's job description can lead to maximizing the use of the professional staff member within the radiation oncology department. This level of professional utilization and validation of the radiation oncology nurse will lead not only to improved patient outcomes but also to greater professional satisfaction, resulting in improved retention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The complexity of oncology therapies demands expert oncology nurses. This clearly is recognized in medical oncology, and patients with cancer who are being treated with radiation are no less important. To optimize patient care and therapeutic outcomes, the integration of nursing in all aspects of the radiation treatment continuum is essential.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiation oncology nursing is an evolving subspecialty. Nurses can use the information in this article to evaluate their current roles and individual potential for further professional growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. mooregj@shands.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Giselle J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Moore-Higgs
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watkins-Bruner
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balmer
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johnson-Doneski
authors.forename: Paulette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Komarny
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mautner
authors.forename: Karima
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Velji
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009656:North America; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000145:classification / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013192:Staff Development; D000078329:Workforce