Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) was established for the development, administration, and evaluation of a program for certification in oncology nursing. Incorporated in 1984 and governed by a board of directors, ONCC is the certifying body for oncology nursing and meets standards established by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.^{[1] [2]}

Mission and vision

The mission of ONCC is to promote excellence in patient care and professional practice by validating specialized knowledge in oncology nursing and related specialties.^{[1] [2]}

The vision of ONCC is that oncology care across the continuum will be provided by oncology certified professionals.^{[1] [2]}

Certification

Programs

• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN^®)—basic level certification focused on adult oncology
• Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON^®)—basic level certification focused on pediatric oncology/hematology
• Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP^®)—role-specific, advanced level certification for the oncology nurse practitioner who holds a master’s or higher degree in nursing and has completed a nurse practitioner program
• Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS^®)—role specific, advanced level certification for the oncology clinical nurse specialist who holds a master’s or doctorate degree in nursing
• Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN^®)—role-specific specialty certification focused on breast care
• Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON^®)—basic level certification focused on pediatric oncology
• Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN^®)—advanced level certification focused on adult oncology^[3][4]

Eligibility

All ONCC certification candidates must hold an active, unrestricted RN license to be eligible to take an ONCC examination. In addition, each ONCC certification has specific eligibility criteria for education and experience that must be met before the candidate takes the examination.

Testing

All ONCC examinations are offered at more than 230 computer-based testing centers located in North America and at selected international test sites. Certification is granted to candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and successfully complete a comprehensive multiple-choice examination. OCN^®, CPHON^®, and CBCN^® examinations are offered quarterly. AOCNP^® and AOCNS^® examinations are offered year-round.^[5]

Renewal

There are three components to certification renewal: practice hours, professional development activities, and successful retesting. Two of the three components must be met in order to renew certification. Three renewal options are available, based on the combinations of these renewal components.^[6]

• Option 1: practice hours + professional development activities (known as the Oncology Nursing Certification Points Renewal Option, or ONC-PRO)
• Option 2: practice hours + successful testing
• Option 3: professional development activities + successful testing

Number of certified oncology nurses

Currently, 27,527 nurses are certified as OCN^®, 1,910 as CPON^®, 1,056 as AOCN^®, 827 as AOCNP^®, 331 as AOCNS^®, 615 as CBCN^®, and 591 as CPHON^®.^[1]

See also

Nursing portal

• Oncology Nursing Society
• ONS Foundation
• ONSEdge
• List of nursing organizations
• Oncology nursing
• Nursing credentials and certifications

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} About ONCC http://www.oncc.org/About
2. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.pearsonvue.com/oncc/
3. ^ Certifications Available http://www.oncc.org/TakeTest/Certifications
4. ^ Oncology Nursing Career http://www.nursing-school-degrees.com/Nursing-Careers/oncology-nurse.html
5. ^ 2011 Test Bulletin http://www.oncc.org/media/oncc/docs/getcertified/testbulletin2011.pdf
6. ^ Certification Renewal http://www.oncc.org/Renew

External links

• ONCC
• Oncology Nursing Society