Roles Played by Advanced Practitioners in Oncology: Present Status and Future Outlook

During the past 40 years that the Oncology Nursing Society has been in existence, the profession of advanced practitioner in oncology (APO) has grown alongside it. Today, APOs fill a wide variety of roles in numerous settings. This article will examine those roles, as well as the profession’s future.

At a Glance

• Advanced practitioners in oncology (APOs) have become a vital part of cancer care.
• APOs possess various academic degrees and have undergone varied educational preparation.
• APOs are one possible solution to an anticipated physician shortage.