What is the difference between a pediatric oncologist and a pediatric oncology nurse?

Training: The oncologist is a physician, the other a nurse. Difference is years and type of training.

Doctor and nurse: Pediatric oncologists are doctors (4 years of medical school after college) with training in pediatrics (3 year residency after medical school) and pediatric hematology/oncology (3 year fellowship after residency). Pediatric oncology nurses usually have 4 years of college (some 2 years, some master degrees with 6 years).

Different functions: But on the same team. The pediatric oncologist is a physician who leads the team, prescribes the chemo and marshals the plan. It is often the pediatric oncology nurse's job to coordinate that plan and see it successfully executed. Unless the pediatric oncology nurse is a nurse practitioner, he may not prescribe, although he can administer. His input to your child's care can be most important!