Background
There is huge variation in the roles, competencies, and functions of oncology nurses all over Europe. Even on a national level, they might differ between different regions and settings. This article provides a brief overview of different roles of oncology nurses in Europe.
Materials and methods
Based on literature summarizing different roles and competencies, this article provides an overview of the different educational levels that exist internationally. Their impact on health systems will be briefly reviewed. In particular, the roles of specialized oncology nurses, nurse navigators, clinical trial nurses, and advanced practice nurses in oncology will be discussed.
Results
The demographic evolution and the increasing number of cancer patients achieving long-term survival will increase the number of cancer patients in health care systems significantly. In parallel, new treatment modalities imply important changes to cancer care. To enable health care systems to respond to the changing needs, new models of care should also be promoted in Germany and include new roles for oncology nurses.