Certification Makes A Difference

Certification in oncology nursing makes a difference - to the patients whose care is provided by oncology certified nurses, to employers who must staff their facilities with skilled and experienced cancer nurses, and to the individual nurse who attains the OCN^®, CPON^®, AOCN^®, AOCNP^® or AOCNS^® credential.

What is Nursing Certification?
Nursing certification is the process by which a nongovernmental agency validates, based upon predetermined standards, an individual registered nurse's qualifications and knowledge of practice in a defined functional or clinical area of nursing. One purpose of nursing certification is to assure the public that the nurse has completed all eligibility criteria to earn a specific credential. A second purpose is to promote the development of specialty areas of nursing by establishing minimum competency standards and recognizing those who have met the standards.

Certification - It's More Than an RN License
How does certification differ from an RN license? An RN license signifies a nurse has entry-level knowledge to provide care for patients, and is the minimum requirement for professional nurses. Although some states require continuing education for license renewal, others require only payment of a renewal fee. An RN license doesn't indicate whether a nurse has acquired knowledge beyond the required minimum, but certification does.

Certification is a voluntary process. It signifies a nurse has developed specialty knowledge beyond the entry level. Oncology certified nurses have met or exceeded requirements for practice in cancer care, have completed education in oncology nursing, and have a tested knowledge of the specialty. Certification in oncology nursing is based on current professional practice, so it validates a nurse's knowledge is up-to-date.

As cancer treatments become more complex, patients will require increasingly specialized care. Oncology certified nurses have both the knowledge and experience to deliver that care effectively.

Patients Value Certification
Certification can strengthen patients' confidence in their caregivers and offer peace of mind at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable and uncertain. To patients with cancer, certification means the nurse is not only a caregiver, but a qualified caregiver.

In addition, public awareness of nursing certification is growing. Just a few years ago, only 1 in 3 people were very aware that nurses could be specialty certified¹. By 2002, nearly 8 out of 10 people were aware that nurses could be certified in a specialty area - in fact, more aware of nurse certification than teacher or physician certification².

Employers Benefit from Certification
Supporting certification in oncology nursing can help employers who are faced with three challenges:

• A nursing shortage that is expected to worsen.
• An aging population at greater risk for developing cancer.
• A public that prefers a hospital with a higher percentage of certified nurses³.

By supporting certification in oncology nursing, employers can recruit and retain highly qualified nurses. During a nursing shortage, job satisfaction is key to nurse retention. Staff turnover can cost an institution thousands of dollars in temporary staffing, and in the recruitment and training of new staff - far more than the cost of supporting certification.

An aging population is creating new demands for nurses who are knowledgeable about cancer care. Approximately 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in people age 55 or older⁴. By the year 2025, more than one-fourth of the US population will be 55 or older⁵.

Knowledgeable nurses are better equipped to recognize problems and take appropriate action, resulting in better patient care. When it comes to cancer care, the nurses with tested knowledge are oncology certified nurses.

Certified nurses can help employers differentiate themselves from their competitors. By staffing with a high percentage of certified nurses, an institution can position itself as having the most knowledgeable and skilled nursing staff in a competitive environment. Certification of nursing staff can also factor into accreditation granted by agencies such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program^TM, or compliance with standards set by organizations such as the Association of Community Cancer Centers and the American College of Radiation Oncology.

Nurses Grow Through Certification
Certification can offer both professional and personal rewards to the individual nurse. In some instances, certified nurses receive financial incentives in the form of salary differentials or bonuses. In fact, a 2004 salary survey of nurses reported that certified nurses had an average full-time annual income that was almost $10,000 higher than nurses who weren't certified⁶. In addition, certification is often required for advancement to higher levels on the career ladder, or it may open doors to new professional opportunities.

Other studies indicate an overwhelming majority of certified nurses have reported certification enabled them to experience personal growth and greater satisfaction as nurses⁷. By preparing for certification, nurses have an opportunity to increase their knowledge of cancer care and current nursing practice, which can increase their confidence in their skills.

Options in Oncology Nursing Certification
In the specialty of oncology nursing, five certifications are available. The OCN^® credential recognizes nurses who have attained certification at the basic level. The AOCN^®, AOCNP^®, and AOCNS^® credentials distinguish nurses who have obtained oncology nursing certification at the advanced level. The CPON^® credential signifies a nurse is certified in pediatric oncology nursing. Along the entire continuum of cancer care, certified nurses are prepared to deliver specialized care.

Becoming Certified in Oncology Nursing
Nurses must meet specific eligibility criteria for nursing experience and specialty practice, and pass a rigorous multiple-choice examination. The OCN^®, CPON^®, AOCNP^® and AOCNS^® examinations are administered quarterly, by computer-based testing, at more than 300 locations throughout North America. The OCN^®, AOCNP^®, and AOCNS^® Tests are offered once each year in a paper-and-pencil format, prior to the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Annual Congress.

Certifications granted by ONCC are valid for four years, after which they may be renewed. Certification may be renewed by testing, or by providing evidence of professional development through the Oncology Nursing Certification Points Renewal Option (ONC-PRO). ONC-PRO requires nurses to accrue a minimum number of points through nursing continuing education, continuing medical education, professional presentations, publications, or volunteer service.

Information about eligibility requirements for certification, test content outlines, reference lists, and sample questions can be found in the Oncology Nursing Certification Bulletin, published annually by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC).

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) was incorporated in 1984 and is governed by a Board of Directors. The mission of ONCC is to promote and provide oncology nursing certification for the enhancement of patient care and professional practice. ONCC is accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

Sources:

1. Americans support rigorous standards for nursing care [press release]. Washington, DC: American Nurses Association; May 6, 1999. Available at http://nursingworld.org/pressrel/1999/pr0507.htm. Accessed on February 11, 2003.
2. Harris Interactive, Inc. American Association of Critical Care Nurses Survey. November 2002.
3. Harris Interactive, Inc. November 2002.
4. Cancer Facts & Figures. 2003. Atlanta, GA. American Cancer Society.
5. Projected Resident Population of the U.S. as of July 1, 2025, Middle Series. Washington, DC. Population Projections Program, Population Division, US Census Bureau; 2000. Available at http://www.census.gov/. Accessed on February 11, 2003.
6. Robinson, ES. Nursing 2004 Salary Survey. Nursing. October 2004. Retrieved March 14, 2005 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3689/is_200410/ai_n9431354/print
7. Cary, AH. Certified registered nurses: results of the study of the certified workforce. American Journal of Nursing. January 2001; 101(1):44-52.

Copies of the brochure Certification Makes A Difference are available from ONCC. Please e-mail your request to ONCC or call 1-877-769-ONCC (toll free).