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Best Hospitals to Work in West Virginia

Career Resources / Job Searching / Best Hospitals West Virginia

Besides scenic mountains and recreational activities, West Virginia is home to the #1 children’s hospital in the country, according to US News. The top hospitals in the state not only provide high-quality treatment and healthcare to their patients but also offer benefits to maintain excellent work culture for their employees.

If you are a nurse aiming to broaden your career prospects in West Virginia, consider the following high-ranking hospitals for your next job. 

West Virginia’s Top Hospital

Best hospitals in West Virginia

Whether you are a recently graduated nurse looking for a job in the state or an experienced registered nurse wanting to take your career to the next level, these top hospitals would be your best option.

  1. West Virginia University Hospitals
  2. Beckley ARH Hospital
  3. Boone Memorial Hospital
  4. Charleston Area Medical Center
  5. St. Mary’s Medical Center-Huntington

1. West Virginia University Hospitals

West Virginia has one Magnet®️ hospital– West Virginia University Hospitals. 

West Virginia University Hospitals, more commonly known  as WVU Medicine, consists of 20+ health institutions spread across several states. J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital is the flagship hospital of the system. WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital is ranked No. 1 in the state as well as in the country, according to US news. The hospital is also recognized as high-performing in 4 adult specialties and 11 conditions and procedures. 

The WVU Health System is the largest health system and largest private employer in West Virginia, with hospitals and clinics in five states. In 2021, Forbes listed WVU Medicine among “America’s Best Large Employers.” 

  • Administration: Non-profit
  • Hospital Type: Teaching and Research hospital, general medical and surgical facility
  • Location: Morgan Town, West Virginia
  • Employees: 20,000 total

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2. Beckley ARH Hospital

A part of Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Beckley ARH Hospital is a medical and surgical facility. Currently, there are nine operating hospitals under ARH. While it’s not a Magnet®️ Hospital, a few reviews state that the hospital treats its staff well.

  • Administration: Non-profit
  • Hospital Type: General medical and Surgical Facility
  • Location: Beckley, West Virginia
  • Employees: 4,700

3. Boone Memorial Hospital

Although not a Magnet®️ Hospital, Boone Memorial Hospital has five stars in patient experience on the US News platform. Some factors that added to this rating include satisfaction with doctors’ and nurses’ communication, staff responsiveness and room cleanliness. 

  • Administration: Non-profit
  • Hospital Type: General medical and surgical facility
  • Location: Madison, West Virginia

4. Charleston Area Medical Center

Charleston Area Medical Center is ranked #2 in West Virginia by US News. It is also recognized as ‘high performing’ in 11 conditions and procedures even though it’s not a Magnet®️ Hospital. 

  • Administration: Non-profit
  • Hospital Type: General medical and surgical facility, Teaching hospital
  • Location: Charleston, West Virginia
  • Employees: 3,500 

5. St. Mary’s Medical Center-Huntington

St. Mary’s Medical Center is a medical and surgical facility. It has also been cited as ‘high performing in 9 procedures and conditions. While it’s not a Magnet®️ Hospital, it ranked #3 in West Virginia by US News.

  • Administration: Non-profit
  • Hospital Type: General medical and surgical facility
  • Location: Huntington, West Virginia
  • Employees: 748

What makes the best hospital in West Virginia

To maintain their top status, acclaimed hospitals maintain certain standard practices. Before you apply to such hospitals, do your research on such policies. This will help you understand what would be expected of you and how aligned you would be with the philosophy of the high-ranking hospitals.  

Let’s look at some of those qualities. 

Benefits

Soaring revenue is one of the key features of eminent hospitals. This enables them to provide their employees with necessary financial stability and added perks. 

Top hospitals have a constant flow of funds, so they don’t scrimp on the budget when it comes to employee satisfaction. Besides salary, top hospitals offer other benefits like paid sick leave, financial assistance for home buyers, discounts, and tuition, to attract and retain the best talents in healthcare. 

Growth opportunity

If constant growth is what you aspire to  in your nursing career, top-ranking hospitals will provide that for you. Hospitals that have excellent reputations in healthcare open doors for advanced medical research. This way, employees of acclaimed hospitals get innovative opportunities to learn and grow professionally. 

To take advantage of opportunities, nurses must upskill frequently. Job positions like nurse anesthetists or nurse practitioners are high in demand in top hospitals. Registered nurses can consider them for further career growth. 

Employee satisfaction

Every industry focuses  on employee experience, and healthcare is no exception. High-ranking hospitals work toward increasing employee satisfaction to retain employees, attract new talents, and maintain constant productivity. Lack of funds is not an issue in the administration of such hospitals. Hence, they hire enough workforce so that the employees don’t suffer frequent burnout. 

With hectic and crucial responsibilities, it is quite common for nurses to experience job fatigue. But employees at top-ranking hospitals can avoid it as they are provided with a good work-life balance. This promotes a healthy work culture. 

High patient satisfaction

According to a report published in the NCBI journal, increased crowding in emergency departments (ED) impacts patient satisfaction. More crowding in ED leads to a higher wait time for each patient, compromising the quality of healthcare. 

Top ranking hospitals provide enough doctors and employees to prevent crowding in ED. This means they are able to focus on giving the best possible treatment to each patient. They ensure personalized attention for every patient and provide them with the best health services. With such high standards, employees of top hospitals feel a sense of pride. 

Other factors that make a top hospital 

Here are some factors that make these hospitals top employers:

Safety record is critical

4% of hospitalized patients contract some kind of healthcare-associated infection (HAI), according to CDC reports. Eminent hospitals prioritize high-quality training programs for the staff when it comes to healthcare safety measures. The employees learn how to use proper techniques and sterile conditions during procedures. Statistically, the risk of infection can be reduced by 80% with proper training of hospital employees. 

Hospital policies focus on customer services

When you look for your dream job at a hospital, look for organizations that give importance to customer service. Policies like this contribute to patient satisfaction and make them feel safe in their vulnerability. Satisfied patients are more likely to cooperate with the staff, making their jobs much easier. 

Latest technology and training to improve healthcare

Advanced hospitals invest in new technology to continue to provide the best possible healthcare. They constantly adopt the best available technology to maintain their high standard of health care delivery. 

With the integration of such technology, the employees’ jobs are much more manageable. It improves the hospital employees’ capabilities to handle emergencies. The patients also benefit from the inclusion of the latest innovations in medical practices and procedures.

Ethics lead the way

Top hospitals maintain both quality and affordability in their services. Such values and ethics guide their way towards providing healthcare. Similarly, highly reputed hospitals in West Virginia have also made healthcare affordable and thus more accessible to the community. 

Next steps

For both experienced nurses and recent nursing graduates, working in one of the top hospitals will hone their skills and soar their careers to newer and better prospects.

Looking for a job in top hospitals without the right approach can be difficult. These comprehensive guides and resources will help you stand out and land your dream job in the top hospitals in West Virginia.

Build your resume

Understand what the job requirements are and structure your resume according to that. It saves your employer’s time and makes you stand out among other candidates.

Identify your strongest skills and highlight those in your resume. Keep reliable references handy to make it easy for your prospective employer to check your reputation. You can follow this nursing resume guide for more information.

Join a nurses association

Be it in healthcare or any other industry, networking is the best way to keep track of various job updates. Your network in the nursing community will bring you a plethora of opportunities. Find out whether your state has a nurses union, and  make it a point to join a professional nursing organization as soon as possible. 

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Attend industry conferences and workshops

Healthcare is subjected to constant research and innovation. Nurses and other healthcare workers need to keep learning new skills, techniques, and new technologies to fit into better career opportunities. 

Check out top nursing conferences to join. 

Keep up with continuing education requirements

The field of medicine is ever-growing, so you need to keep updating your qualifications to keep pace with the industry standards. 

For that, you must know about different requirements and on-demand roles in the healthcare industry. Enrolling in sought-after courses will add to your expertise as a nurse and make you a fitting candidate for high-performing hospitals. Incredible Health  offers free CEU courses. All you need to do is to sign up and update your qualifications.

Search for job openings

A variety of resources should be at your disposal so that you can keep up with various job openings at top hospitals. This platform will help you find the perfect nursing job for you in the state’s high-ranking hospitals. Just create a profile so you never miss out. 

Transfer your nursing license to West Virginia

Be aware of the requirements to practice nursing in the state of West Virginia before you start applying. If you are moving from a compact state to another compact state, you need to transfer your license. But in case you are moving to a noncompact state, here is a guide that will assist you with all steps regarding the transfer of your license. 

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At Incredible Health, it's a team effort to achieve our vision: Help healthcare professionals live better lives. Many are licensed practitioners themselves; others are simply passionate writers and leaders dedicated to providing valuable resources to nurses.

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Watch: How Legacy Health Hires and Retains Permanent Nurses

In this webinar,  Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, Melinda Stibal, shares how she:

  • Builds core strategies to hire and retain permanent Nurses
  • Designs Nurse training programs, and
  • Supports 14 regional schools of Nursing and more than 1,400 nursing student placements each year

Legacy Health is one of Forbes Best Large Employers of 2022 and Oregon’s top-rated health system. Before joining Legacy Health, Melinda served as Associated Chief Nursing Officer at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

At Incredible Health, it's a team effort to achieve our vision: Help healthcare professionals live better lives. Many are licensed practitioners themselves; others are simply passionate writers and leaders dedicated to providing valuable resources to nurses.

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Study: Nurse Diversity May Lead to Better Health Outcomes

Two years ago, the Office of the Surgeon General published its Call to Action to Improve Maternal Health. That document noted that despite access to world-class medical care, the maternal mortality rate in the United States was higher than that of countries that are similarly technologically advanced. The report called racial and ethnic disparities “especially concerning” and called for evidence-based measures to be put in place. In keeping with this urgent request, researchers from the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons set out to explore the impact a diverse registered nurse workforce has on maternal health outcomes. They concluded that “A diverse state registered nurse workforce is associated with reduced risk of severe adverse maternal outcomes during childbirth.”

Main points:

What did the report say about diversity and health outcomes?

The researchers investigated whether there was a link between the number of mothers who had suffered severe adverse maternal outcomes — defined as eclampsia, blood transfusion, hysterectomy and intensive care admission — to the diversity of their states’ nursing workforce. They also categorized mothers who had suffered these outcomes by their race. 

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What they found was that there was a significant difference between the number of severe adverse maternal outcomes in the states with the lowest level of diversity in its workforce and those with the greatest. By mother’s race, the researchers found that the incidence of severe adverse maternal outcomes was:

  • White mothers: 85.3 per 10,000 in states in the first tercile and 53.9 per 10,000 for those in states in the third tercile
  • Black mothers: 130.6 per 10,000 in states in the first tercile and 85.7 per 10,000 for those in states in the third tercile
  • Hispanic mothers: 100.3 per 10,000 in states in the first tercile and 51.1 per 10,000 for those in states in the third tercile
  • Asian and Pacific Islander mothers: 96.0 per 10,000 in states in the first tercile and 62.9 for those in states in the third tercile.

After correcting the data for patients and hospital characteristics, the researchers concluded that for white mothers, delivering in states in the third tercile of registered nurse diversity yielded a 32% reduced risk of severe adverse outcomes, while for Black, Hispanic, and Asian and Pacific Islander mothers the reduction was 20%, 31%, and 50% respectively. 

The significance of the report’s findings

The study’s authors emphasized the actions that could be taken as a result of their findings. Guohua Li, MD, DrPH, professor of epidemiology and anesthesiology at Columbia Mailman School and VP&S said, “This study is important because persistent racial disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality are of public health significance and because health care workforce diversity is amenable to policy interventions. He pointed to the advantages to be gained by increasing minority representation in nurses, saying, “Demographic diversity is widely regarded as a strength of the United States. Our study indicates that workforce diversity could also be a major strength of the U.S. health system, which benefits the entire population.”

First author Jean Guglielmiotti, MD, Ph, in the Department of Anesthesiology noted that “Structural racism in public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and other norms works to perpetuate racial group inequities and what we believe contributes to these disparities in severe adverse maternal outcomes, independent of poverty and other social determinants of health,” with black and Native Americans at the greatest risk.

While noting that their findings “hold up for white mothers as well as for mothers of color,” Li added that the study demonstrates that a more diverse nurse workforce could help to “reduce provider implicit bias and enhance communications and trust between patients and clinicians.” to diversify the workforce with the goal of addressing racial and ethnic disparities.

How did they do the study? 

The researchers used the American Community Survey’s 5-year estimate from the years 2013-2017 to identify the proportion of minoritized racial and ethnic nurses in each state. They divided each state into thirds in which the first third had the lowest proportion of diverse registered nurses, ranging for 3.3-14 percent, and the third had the highest proportion with ranges of between 32 and 68 percent. They then used 2017 U.S. Birth Certificate data to determine that out of 3,668,813 birth certificates included in the study, 29,174 (or 0.8 percent) recorded severe adverse maternal outcomes, identified as eclampsia, blood transfusion, hysterectomy, or intensive care unit admission.

The highest incidence of severe maternal adverse effects were identified as occurring among Native American mothers (1.75 percent), with Black mothers next at 1 percent, mothers of more than one race also at 1 percent, white mothers at 0.74 percent, Asian/Pacific Islander mothers at 0.73 percent, and Hispanic mothers at 0.7 percent.

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Written by James Yoo

James serves as Incredible Health's content manager. He's always loved stories, no matter the medium. He learned his craft as a newspaper reporter and from reading the likes of Joseph Mitchell and John McPhee. He stepped away to join the family business in retail before returning to writing and editing as a content marketer. He has an MA in journalism from Syracuse University and a BA in history from the University of Pennsylvania. (edited)

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MSN to DNP: An Overview

Nursing Degrees & Schools / MSN to DNP

Nurses with a master’s of science in nursing degree often take the next step to obtain a DNP or doctor of nursing practice. The MSN to DNP path is the traditional way students earn the DNP, and it can be a big step forward. Many nurses choose to earn a DNP degree because it offers more career opportunities and other benefits you’ll discover in this post.

Specifically, this post will cover: 

What can a nurse do with a DNP?

Nurses who receive a DNP set themselves to move into a new field or gain a competitive advantage over the nurses in their respective fields. The two settings that most DNP graduates work in are: 

  • Leadership and administration
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nursing 

The difference in these two settings comes down to whether the nurse wants to work with or without patients. 

Leadership and administrative roles

Going from MSN to a DNP degree allows nurses to help make overarching policy changes on an administrative level.

Specifically, DNPs with a leadership and administrative focus work in: 

  • Organizational leadership
  • Health policy
  • Health informatics systems 
  • Nurse management

Advanced Practice Nursing 

This setting is for nurses who wish to work with patients directly. While obtaining a DNP to work in specific APRN roles is not necessary, earning this degree can set nurses up for a raise or give them a competitive advantage over their peers.

DNPs who want to become an APRN need to take the APRN certification exam. They also may need to seek out advanced specialty certification. 

The DNP typically works as a: 

  • Nurse Practitioner (NP) – These are health care professionals who often work independently from a doctor’s supervision to help prevent illness and teach wellness practices to patients. They do not currently need a DNP degree, but this is likely to change by 2025. 
  • CRNA or Nurse Anesthetist – These clinicians work with nurses and physicians to administer anesthesia. Currently, you only need an MSN. However, this is also slated to change by 2025, and CRNAs may start requiring a DNP.
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist – These are clinicians who work with nurses and patients in the role of a nurse. Currently, you only need an MSN for this position. 

[ Looking for more information? Get instant salary estimates and personalized matches with high-paying nursing jobs. ]

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What are MSN to DNP admission requirements?

Every MSN to DNP program will have different standards for admission. However, the general requirements are as followed: 

  • Having an MSN degree from an accredited university
  • Having an active nursing license in the school’s state you want to attend 
  • Personal essay
  • In-person interview
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Having a competitive GPA

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What does the DNP curriculum look like?

The DNP aspect of the MSN to DNP program will include courses like: 

  • Interprofessional Collaboration
  • Health Policy and Advanced Nursing Practice 
  • Health Care Delivery Systems 
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Clinical and DNP Project
  • Leadership in Healthcare
  • Project Management
  • Clinical Informatics

DNP programs require 1,000 hours of practice experience (500 can be transferred from the MSN program). 

After the DNP program, the student will have to submit a final project. They will have a chance to work with a mentor for the project. 

Full-time students can complete the MSN to DNP program in one to two years. 

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What are some of the top MSN to DNP programs?

According to US News & World Report, the top five universities with MSN to DNP programs are:

  1. Johns Hopkins University – A private school in Baltimore, MD, with an application deadline of January 1, and an application fee of $75 for US residents.
  2. Duke University – A private school in Durham, NC, with an application deadline of December 1, and an application fee of $50 for US residents.
  3. Rush University – A private school in Chicago, IL, has an application deadline of January 2, and an application fee of $115 for US residents.
  4. The University of Washington – A public school in Seattle, WA, with an application deadline of January 15, and an application fee of $85 for US residents.
  5. Columbia University – A private school in New York, NY, with an application deadline of January 20, and an application fee of $75 for US residents.

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How do I pay for an MSN to DNP program?

Once you pick a program, you need to decide if you will apply for financial aid. DNP programs can cost a lot, so look closely at your finances to determine if you need financial assistance. 

If you need help, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Any DNP program you want to attend will use the FAFSA to determine your needs. 

If you feel worried about taking on loans, some companies and programs offer student loan forgiveness following graduation. 

Are you ready for an MSN to DNP program?

Determining whether you’re ready for an MSN to DNP program means assessing your career goals honestly. If you are happy in your current role making the salary you are, then it may not be best to spend time and money on a DNP program. But if you want to learn new things, work with patients or administrators in new ways, earn more money, or go deeper into your nursing specialty, a DNP program might be right for you. 

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At Incredible Health, it's a team effort to achieve our vision: Help healthcare professionals live better lives. Many are licensed practitioners themselves; others are simply passionate writers and leaders dedicated to providing valuable resources to nurses.

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Become a Hematology Nurse in 3 Steps

Nurse Types / Hematology Nurse

Hematology is the study of blood and blood diseases. This field is on the frontline of some of medicine’s most exciting treatment advances. If this has captured your interest, you may have decided you would like to become a hematology nurse. 

The unique opportunities this affords are worth pursuing. Not only will you be involved in the science of hematology, but you will be a part of making a difference in patients’ lives.

If you’re wondering where to start, we’ve put together a guide to help make it easier to achieve your goal of becoming a hematology nurse. We’ll discuss:

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What is a hematology nurse?

Hematology nurses work to treat blood and bone marrow disorders. Their role is often paired with oncology, due to the similarities between the two fields.

A hematology nurse is part of a larger team of doctors and researchers that develop treatment plans to help people diagnosed with these health concerns.

Qualities of a successful hematology nurse

Hematology is a rapidly evolving field of medicine. Hematology nurses must be: 

  • Adaptable
  • Flexible
  • Able to engage in patient education
  • Willing to learn new things
  • Good at assessment
  • Possess solid communication abilities
  • Hold excellent critical thinking skills
  • Able to show empathy and patience

What do hematology nurses do?

Treating hematological disorders involves careful assessment of each patient’s progress. Hematology nurses use these assessment skills to review labs and the patient’s treatment plan. A hematology nurse will help treat these problems with specialized infusions and blood transfusions as necessary.

As part of treating these patients, a hematology nurse will:

  • Interview patients
  • Collect labs such as blood and urine samples
  • Provide patient education
  • Communicate with the healthcare team
  • Review lab results
  • Administer medications including IV infusions
  • Assist with bone marrow biopsies
  • Perform blood transfusions

A day in the life of a hematology nurse

Hematology nurses must think on their feet while delivering bedside care to their patients. They consistently monitor for symptoms like:

  • Pain
  • Infusion and transfusion reactions

They’re ready to step in to provide compassionate care when the need arises. 

Common conditions treated by hematology nurses

A hematology nurse will see some conditions frequently, and others more rarely. You may be familiar with some of them already, but many you will only see in this specialized role. They include:

  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Hemophilia
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphoma
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Myelofibrosis
  • Von Willebrand disease
  • Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
  • Clotting disorders
  • Hemochromatosis

Where do hematology nurses work?

Along with providing care in hospitals, you can find hematology nurses in the following settings:

  • Cancer centers
  • Hematology outpatient clinics
  • Pediatric hematology clinics
  • Oncology outpatient clinics
  • Specialty blood disorder clinics

What are specific types of hematology nurses?

Hematology nurses can further specialize in their field and may fit into a few specific categories:

  • Pediatric hematology nurse- these nurses specialize in pediatric hematology care.
  • Hematology/oncology nurse- often seen in combination with hematology roles, these nurses have expanded knowledge to treat all types of cancer alongside hematological disorders.
  • Advanced practice hematology nurse- a nurse with a master’s degree, working as a nurse practitioner to treat patients.
  • Hematology nurse navigator– a nurse case management role, helping patients organize their care and find resources to support them throughout their illness.

Closely related fields

There is some overlap between hematology and oncology nursing, and often you will see the two specialties in combination. Other closely related fields include:

  • Bone marrow transplant (BMT) nurse- nurses that specialize in caring for bone marrow transplant recipients before and after the procedure; this is often a part of treating hematology patients.
  • Radiation oncology nurse- an oncology specialty that treats cancer using radiation therapy.
  • Genetics nurse- involved in diseases that can have a genetic component, including hematology disorders.

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How do you become a hematology nurse in 3 steps?

Because hematology nursing is a specialized field, to successfully land a position as a hematology nurse there are some requirements. By following these 3 steps, you can reach your goal of being part of this dynamic and exciting specialty.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

You’ll need a nursing license to apply for a job as a hematology nurse, so if you aren’t already a registered nurse, this is the most important step! There are a few things you’ll need to do to achieve a license.

Earn a BSN degree 

Most employers will look for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), especially in specialized areas like hematology. You can go straight to the BSN degree, or there are a few other ways to earn it as well:

  • RN to BSN– this is for nurses who have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and want to quickly earn a BSN using the credits from their ADN degree.
  • ABSN– the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing allows you to change careers from one field to another, by using credits already earned with a previous bachelor’s degree.

Beyond the BSN, advancing your degree to an Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become a nurse practitioner can open doors for even more involved hematology nursing roles.

Pass the NCLEX exam

To obtain a nursing license, earning a BSN is only part of the equation. Once you graduate, you also need to take and pass the NCLEX exam, which proves you know everything necessary to safely practice as an entry-level RN.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Employers in hematology nursing will expect to see a certain level of nursing experience in job candidates. If you’re already an experienced nurse looking to change your nursing specialty, you’re in a great position. If you’re a new grad, expect to work in nursing in a general role like med-surg for at least one to two years, gaining skills and experience, before applying for a hematology role.

Helpful skills and experience

You can expect skills such as understanding lab results including complete blood count (CBC) to be high on the list. 

Any critical care experience also translates well into being able to react quickly in an emergency like a chemotherapy or transfusion reaction. 

In addition, understanding how to navigate emotionally charged situations is a great skill to develop. For some hematology patients, their diagnosis is chronic with ongoing symptoms like pain that need to be continuously managed. For others, may mean they are facing a terminal illness.

Changing specialty to a hematology nurse 

If you are transitioning from one area of nursing to a hematology nurse role, you’ll find some other skills you’ve picked up along the way are useful in hematology, too. 

This includes:

  • Assessing patients for signs and symptoms of drug reactions 
  • Managing complex pain
  • Working with other members of the healthcare team to develop a plan of care
  • Educating patients

Specialties like med-surg, ICU, and emergency room are all great areas to come from for hematology nursing. You’ll have experience thinking on your feet and putting together complex medical information to care for your hematology patients.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Hematology nursing requires advanced knowledge and additional skills that are not part of a typical nurse’s background. Because of this, nursing certifications in hematology and oncology are a requirement for hematology nurses.

There are a handful of certifications related to hematology that you can earn. If you do not have one of these certifications, you may be required to earn it as part of your orientation process as a new hematology nurse. 

At a minimum, an ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate is needed to administer many of the medications used in both hematology and oncology. Additionally, you can earn:

  • Registered Nurse: Board Certified (RN-BC)- Hemostasis Certification
  • Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
  • Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON)
  • Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON) 
  • Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN)
  • Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN)
  • Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP)
  • Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS)

Along with one or more of the above certifications, it may be helpful to achieve your Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification (ACLS). Nurses working with transfusion or infusion reactions can benefit from this certification.

What are additional requirements of hematology nurses? 

Hematology is a constantly evolving field, with updates to evidence-based treatment modalities happening all the time. Hematology nurses should expect to regularly attend continuing education courses to learn about advancements in hematology and/or oncology treatments. 

These CEUs are also required by most state boards of nursing to renew your nursing license. Hematology nurses usually find that the number of educational opportunities they have in their job role more than fulfills the minimum number of hours required.

What are the salary and career outlooks for hematology nurses?

Nursing is a career that overall boasts a great job outlook, with a growth of 6% between 2021 and 2031. 

With the number of Americans age 65 and older doubling in the next 40 years, it can be expected that a growth in hematologic malignancies will happen as well. This should lead to consistently high demand for hematology nurses. 

Due to the many opportunities for advancement and growth in the field of hematology, including roles that combine oncology care, the average annual salary for this specialty is $119,698. 

You can expect this amount to vary depending on which city or state you live in, so you’ll want to be sure to investigate this before making a career move.

Hematology nurse salary by state
Alabama
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Maryland
Michigan
Missouri
North Carolina
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Texas
Washington

Job satisfaction

Nurses who work in hematology often express their patients are a special population of individuals. They are often able to form a close bond. This often emotionally charged type of care means patients and nurses become part of a “hematology family.” 

You can get real perspectives on hematology nursing by talking with nurses experienced in the field, and asking them what their job means to them. 

Next steps 

As you can see, being a hematology nurse can open doors to many exciting opportunities in this specialty. 

Along with obtaining the additional certifications listed, a hematology nurse with some experience can consider advancing their degree and working in hematology as a nurse practitioner (NP). The need for advanced practitioners in the field of hematology and oncology has grown from 52% in 2014 to 81% in 2017 alone. 

Whatever path you choose, hematology nursing is bound to be a rewarding, interesting, and challenging career!

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Becki Hamill is a healthcare writer with a passion for sharing her knowledge in the field. A nurse for 15 years, she has specialized in several areas, including emergency medicine, oncology, and vascular access. She has written regularly for healthcare blogs and specialty medical providers. She graduated with her ADN from Oakton Community College outside of Chicago, IL. When she’s not writing or spending time with her husband and 5 children, she enjoys gardening and reading.

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