Blog & Insights

Oncology Nursing Insights

Evidence-based articles, clinical commentary, and perspectives from Megha Shah, DNP, FNP, OCN — The Oncology Nurse.

Career and Leadership Patient Education

What Is an Oncology Nurse Practitioner? Role, Scope, and Responsibilities | Megha Shah, DNP, FNP, OCN

· 10 min read

When patients meet me in clinic for the first time, the most common question I hear is some version of: “Are you the doctor?” It is not an unreasonable question. In oncology, care teams can include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and nurse practitioners — some of whom also hold a doctorate. Understanding who does what, and what the letters after a clinician’s name actually mean, can help patients feel more in control of a process that often feels overwhelming from the start.When patients meet me in clinic for the first time, the most common question I hear is some version of: “Are you the doctor?” It is not an unreasonable question. In oncology, care teams can include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and nurse practitioners — some of whom also hold a doctorate. Understanding who does what, and what the letters after a clinician’s name actually mean, can help patients feel more in control of a process that often feels overwhelming from the start.

Read article →
Clinical Education

How to Talk to Cancer Patients About End-of-Life Care | Megha Shah, DNP, FNP, OCN

· 11 min read

Even experienced oncology clinicians feel uncertain about end-of-life conversations. There is a particular weight to them, a feeling that saying the wrong thing might take something away from a person who has already lost so much. What I have learned after years of practice is that the discomfort is usually ours, not the patient’s. Patients want to talk. They need a clinician who knows how to stay in that conversation. This is what I have learned about how to do that well.

Read article →
Clinical Education

Oncology Nursing Emergencies: Recognition and Response | Megha Shah, DNP, FNP, OCN

· 9 min read

An expert guide to the most critical oncology nursing emergencies — neutropenic fever, TLS, SVC syndrome, and more — with nursing assessment priorities and escalation strategies.
Excerpt: Every oncology nurse will, at some point, face a patient who is deteriorating fast. Knowing what to do before that moment arrives is what separates a good outcome from a bad one. This article covers the five oncology emergencies every nurse caring for a cancer patient should be prepared for: neutropenic fever, tumor lysis syndrome, superior vena cava syndrome, hypercalcemia of malignancy, and malignant spinal cord compression — including assessment priorities and when to escalate.

Read article →
Clinical Education

Common Chemotherapy Side Effects and How Nurses Manage Them | Megha Shah, DNP, FNP, OCN

· 8 min read

A clinical overview of the most common chemotherapy side effects — nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, and more — with nursing assessment tips and patient teaching strategies from an oncology NP.
Excerpt: Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells — which is what makes it effective against cancer and what causes side effects. As an oncology nurse practitioner, much of my clinical work involves recognizing, assessing, and managing what patients experience during treatment. This article covers the five side effects I see most often in the outpatient infusion setting: nausea and vomiting, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, mucositis, and myelosuppression, with nursing assessment priorities and patient teaching points for each.

Read article →
Patient Education

What to Expect at Your First Chemotherapy Infusion | Megha Shah, DNP, FNP, OCN

· 7 min read

An oncology nurse practitioner walks you through what happens at a first chemotherapy infusion appointment — from arrival to discharge, including what to bring and what questions to ask.
Excerpt: Getting ready for your first chemotherapy infusion is one of the most anxiety-provoking moments in a cancer diagnosis. The fear is rarely about the treatment itself — it is about not knowing what will happen when you walk through those doors. I have guided hundreds of patients through their first infusion, and what I know for certain is that the unknown is almost always worse than the reality. This guide walks you through the full appointment, step by step, from arrival to discharge.

Read article →
Career and Leadership

Nursing Leadership Unlocked: What Every Nurse Should Know About Growing Beyond the Bedside

· 12 min read

In this reflective insight, oncology nurse practitioner Megha Shah explores what nursing leadership truly looks like beyond titles and formal roles. Drawing from her experiences in frontline oncology care, shared governance, mentorship, national speaking engagements, and her feature in ONS Voice, she explains how nurses can lead through advocacy, communication, emotional intelligence, and persistence. This article encourages nurses at every stage of their career to recognise their influence, challenge imposter syndrome, step into opportunities for growth, and help shape the future of the profession from wherever they stand today, with courage, purpose, and confidence.

Read article →
Career and Leadership Patient Education

The Work That Never Leaves You: Celebrating National Nurses’ Week

· 9 min read

Every May, nursing gets a week. What it deserves is a clear-eyed, honest look at the work itself. This article is written for two audiences: the nurses who show up every day, and the patients who carry them in their memory long after treatment ends. It covers what nurses actually do beyond the tasks most people see, what meaningful recognition looks like in practice, and why oncology nursing in particular carries a weight that deserves frank acknowledgment. Whether you are a nurse navigating another demanding year or a patient searching for the right words, this one was written for you.

Read article →
Patient Education

How to Talk to Your Oncology Team: A Patient Communication Guide

· 12 min read

A cancer diagnosis can leave patients feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to ask, and afraid of saying the wrong thing during oncology appointments. In this compassionate guide, oncology nurse practitioner Megha Shah explains how effective communication with your oncology team can improve the treatment experience and lead to more responsive, personalized care. From preparing questions before appointments to reporting symptoms honestly and advocating for yourself when something feels wrong, this article offers practical, evidence-based strategies to help patients and caregivers feel more confident, informed, and supported throughout cancer treatment.

Read article →
Clinical Education Patient Education

What Oncology Nurses Wish Every Patient Knew Before Starting Chemotherapy

· 9 min read

Starting chemotherapy can feel overwhelming, especially when fear of the unknown sets in before the first infusion. In this compassionate guide, oncology nurse practitioner Megha Shah shares what oncology nurses truly want patients to know before beginning treatment. From managing side effects and communicating with your care team to preparing practically and emotionally for chemotherapy, this article offers reassuring, evidence-based guidance to help patients feel informed, supported, and less alone as they begin their cancer journey.

Read article →