The following list of primary references identifies the resources used to develop items on the AOCNP^® test. ONCC examinations are based on a broad body of knowledge and not on the content of any single resource. 

To prepare for the examination, review the Test Content Outline and develop a study plan based on your individual knowledge strengths and weaknesses. It is good practice to use a current, general resource for overall review, and supplement with resources on specific topics to address your individual needs. If you are interested in resources that address specific topics on the Test Content Outline, please contact the ONCC staff for additional guidance. 

Note: Use of these resources does not guarantee a passing score on the examination. Test candidates are not required to purchase or review these resources. ONCC does not endorse specific resources, and does not receive compensation from the sale or use of any resources.  

Primary Test References

Bastable, S.B. (2019). Nurse as educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Berman, A., Snyder, S., & Frandsen, G. (2016). Kozier & Erb’s fundamentals of nursing (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. 

Brant, J.M., & Wickham, R. (Eds.). (2013). Statement on the scope and standards of oncology nursing practice: Generalist and advanced practice. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.

Brown, C.G. (Ed.). (2015). A guide to oncology symptom management (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. 

Burke, C.C. (Ed.). (2009). Psychosocial dimensions of oncology nursing care (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. 

Bush, J.O., & Gorman, L.M. (Eds.). (2018). Psychosocial nursing along the cancer continuum (3rd ed). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.

Camp-Sorrell, D., & Hawkins, R.A. (Eds.). (2014). Clinical manual for the oncology advanced practice nurse (3rd ed). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. 

Chernecky, C.C., & Berger, B.J. (Eds.). (2013). Laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures (6th ed.). St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.

DeVita, V.T., Lawrence, T.S., & Rosenberg, S.A. (Eds.). (2015). Cancer: Principles and practice of oncology (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. 

Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. 

Ferrell, B.R., Coyle, N. & Paice, J. (Eds.). (2015). Oxford textbook of palliative nursing (4th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Gobel, B.H., Triest-Robertson, S., & Vogel, W.H. (Eds.). (2016). Advanced oncology nursing certification review and resource manual (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.

Gullatte, M.M. (Ed.). (2011). Nursing management: Principles and practice (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. 

Gunderson, L., & Tepper, J. (Eds.). (2015). Clinical radiation oncology (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. 

Halter, M.J. (Ed.). (2018). Varcarolis’ foundations of psychiatric-mental health nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.

Hinkle, J., & Cheever, K. (2017). Brunner & Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing (14th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. 

Ignatavicius, D.D., Workman, M.L., & Rebar, C.R.(Eds.). (2018). Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts for interprofessional collaborative care (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.

Kaplan, M. (Ed.). (2018). Understanding and managing oncologic emergencies: A resource for nurses (3rd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.

Lester, J.L., & Schmitt, P. (Eds.). (2011). Cancer rehabilitation and survivorship: Transdisciplinary approaches to personalized care. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.

Lewis, S., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M., Harding, M., Kwong, J., & Roberts, D. (2017). Medical-surgical nursing. (10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. 

Mahon, S. (Ed.). (2018). Guide to breast care for oncology nurses. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.

McEvoy, L.K., & Cope, D.G. (Eds.). (2012). Caring for the older adult with cancer in the ambulatory setting. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. 

U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare benefit policy manual: Chapter 9: Coverage of hospice services under hospital insurance. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/...

Newton, S., Hickey, M., & Brant, J. (2017). Mosby’s oncology nursing advisor: A comprehensive guide to clinical practice (2nd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

Olsen, M., LeFebvre, K., & Brassil, K. (Eds.) (2019). Chemotherapy and immunotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.

Pagana, K.D., & Pagana, T.J. (2018). Mosby’s manual of diagnostic and laboratory tests (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

Potter, P.A., Perry, A.G., Stockert, P., & Hall, A. (2017). Fundamentals of nursing (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

Routt, M., & Parks, L. (Eds.). (2018). Critical care nursing of the oncology patient. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. 

Stuart, G.W. (2013). Principles and practice of psychiatric nursing (10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. 

Vallerand, A.H., & Sanoski, C.A. (2019). Davis’s drug guide for nurses (16th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. 

Wilkes, G.M., & Barton-Burke, M. (Eds.). (2018). 2018 Oncology nursing drug handbook. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning. 

Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.