Roles played by advanced practitioners in oncology: 
present status and future outlook

The 40th anniversary of the Oncology Nursing Society is the perfect time to reflect on the role that advanced practitioners in oncology (APOs) play in the care of patients with cancer. APOs have become an important part of cancer care. This group of professionals practicing in various settings includes physician assistants (PAs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and nurse practitioners (NPs). Areas of practice include inpatient and outpatient settings, emergency departments, surgical centers, and community health clinics (Leonard & Grossman, 2015), as well as academia and pharmaceutical companies. In practice, APOs typically assume a wide range of roles that can involve direct patient care, education (of patients and in a professional capacity), administration, consulting, and research. APOs often take on more than one of these roles. 
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