Certificate Programs

Radiation Oncology Nursing Certificate Program

ONCC and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) have collaborated to develop a Radiation Oncology Nursing Certificate Program. This self-paced webcourse offers intermediate level content that is ideal for nurses who have at least two years of recent radiation oncology nursing experience. Participants who pass the post-course assessment and complete the course requirements will earn a Certificate of Added Qualification in Radiation Oncology Nursing and 15 contact hours of accredited CNE from ONS. This certificate program is available during several different intervals throughout the year.

What's the difference between Certification, a Certificate Program, and CE?

The term "certification" is used a lot and doesn't always mean the same thing to everyone. Programs referred to as certifications by a variety of providers do not always represent the same level of achievement. For example, some providers label attendance at continuing education (CE) programs as "certification" and tell the participants that they may call themselves "certified" in a defined area of practice upon completion of the program. Those who have passed a comprehensive broad-based certification examination, such as the OCN® test, know that attendance at a weekend CE program does not represent the same level of achievement. Nurses, as consumers of these programs, need to understand what each type of program represents in order to make wise decisions about the programs in which they invest. Nurses often spend their own money to become certified or attend CE programs. Employers also invest in these programs. Both nurses and employers need to be able to assess programs so that they fully understand what they are consuming and do not misrepresent themselves or those they employ as "certified" when they are not.

Read this article by ONCC Executive Director Cyndi Miller Murphy, MSN, RN, CAE to understand the differences between quality certification programs, assessment-based certificate programs, and CE programs that provide certificates of attendance.