Introduction
Certification Description:
- Specialization in cancer patients’ long-term care;
Details about Certification:
- Three-hour test of 165 multiple-choice questions;
- $225-$296 for ON /APHON members and $315-$416 for non-members;
- Active registered license; two years experience as an RN; 2,000 hours of oncology nursing practice; 10 contact hours of nursing continuing education in oncology or an academic elective in oncology nursing.
A certified nurse can provide care and consult to cancer patients, as well as assist in cancer therapy and administrative work (“Oncology Certified Nurse,” n.d.). The cost of application and testing is $296 for ON /APHON members and $416 for non-members. Costs for older than 65 members are decreased to $225; for non-members older than 65 is $315 (“Oncology Certified Nurse,” n.d.). It is required to have “two years experience as an RN and 2,000 hours of oncology nursing practice within four years prior to application” (“Oncology Certified Nurse,” n.d.). The nursing practice may include nursing administration, clinical practice, education, research, or consultation. The nurse also must complete “a minimum of 10 contact hours of nursing continuing education in oncology or an academic elective in oncology nursing within three years prior to application” (“Oncology Certified Nurse,” n.d.).
Examination and Renewal
Details about Certification:
- A multiple-choice test containing 165 questions and divided into six sections;
- Renewal takes 8-12 weeks and includes submitting the points and submitting the application
- practice hours + professional development points; practice hours+ successful testing; points + successful testing
The questions can be either a question or an incomplete statement followed by four answer options; each section covers different aspects of oncology nursing (“Oncology Certified Nurse,” n.d.). OCN is valid for four years, after which it must be renewed. The process of certificate renewal takes 8-12 weeks to review the application and points. The renewal application process includes submitting the points and submitting the application on the website (“Oncology Certified Nurse,” n.d.). There are three options available for renewal practice hours and professional development points; practice hours and successful testing; points and successful testing (“Oncology Certified Nurse,” n.d.).
Certificate Selection
Problem Statement: Knowledge deficit r/t OCN certification among hospice nurses of the oncology floor in a hospital setting as manifested by severe pain of terminally ill patients.
Explanation of Problem Statement:
- More comfortable long-term hospital stays for terminally ill patients;
- Knowledge can help them relieve better pain and cancer-related complications.
The certification was selected because provided knowledge and skills can help to ensure a more comfortable long-term hospital stay for terminally ill patients. Nurses should know about the certification as they can advance their oncology nursing practice and provide more effective care for terminally ill patients.
Scholarly Article Key Points
Oncology Nursing Certification:
- Certified nurses’ knowledge is higher than that of their non-certified colleagues;
- The knowledge does not affect patient outcomes;
The authors of this article investigate the relationship between oncology nurses’ certification (OCN), their pain knowledge and pain management practice, and the impact of certification on patient outcomes. Beck et al. (2016) conclude that certified nurses’ knowledge is higher than that of their non-certified colleagues; however, this knowledge does not affect patient outcomes due to lack of action. However, the authors also note the study’s limitations that can affect the accuracy of the results.
Scholarly Article Connection to Patient Outcomes and Certification
- No influence of the certified nurses’ high level of knowledge on patient outcomes;
- Nurses need to take more action;
- Applying knowledge can improve care.
Terminally ill cancer patients are most likely to experience pain and discomfort due to metastases and other cancer consequences, so knowledge about pain management is essential for nurses. Although Beck et al. (2016) found no influence of the certified nurses’ high level of knowledge on patient outcomes, they showed that nurses need to take more action. Therefore, a certified nurse’s right approach to applying his or her knowledge can ease the pain of hospital patients at the end of life.
Scholarly Article Connection to Leadership Skills
- Test requires experience;
- Qualities for decision-making and leadership;
- Possibility to train and advise.
Nursing certification helps nurses be more confident in their knowledge and requires a certain level of experience to apply for the test. In addition, preparation for the test needs mastering the qualities necessary for decision-making and leadership. Consequently, the oncology nursing certification allows nurses to take responsibility and train colleagues who need professional advice.
Conclusion
- Specialization in cancer patients’ long-term care;
- The deficit of knowledge leads to painful complications;
- No impact on patient outcomes is observed due to lack of action.
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) is able to assist in cancer therapy as well as provide qualified care for terminally ill patients. The deficit of knowledge and skills among hospice nurses leads to painful complications in terminally cancer patients. The article compares the knowledge and skill levels of certified and non-certified nurses using quantitative surveys. Despite the higher level of knowledge among certified nurses, no impact on patient outcomes is observed due to lack of action.
- Certified nurses can provide advice and guidance;
- Wider range of theoretical knowledge;
- Can be applied in research and training.
The researchers found that the level of knowledge of certified nurses does not affect patient outcomes as they need to take more action. However, certified nurses can educate less qualified members of their team by providing advice and guidance. Nurses need to acquire knowledge that can be applied in research and training, as this increases the staff’s level of qualifications and the quality of care. Certified nurses need more opportunities to practice aiming to improve the high quality of care for terminally ill patients.
References
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®). (n.d.). Web.
Beck, S. L., Brant, J. M., Donohue, R., Smith, E. M., Towsley, G., Berry, P. H., Guo, J. W., Al-Qaaydeh, S., Pett, M. A., & Donaldson, G. (2016). Oncology Nursing Certification: Relation to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes about pain, patient-reported pain care quality, and pain outcomes. Oncology Nursing Forum, 43(1), 67–76.