If you’re a registered nurse or a pharmacy technician, you maybe interested in becoming “chemo certified”. There are many benefits to obtaining chemotherapy certification. Nurses with chemo certification will find it easier to find employment as oncology nurses, by demonstrating that the nurse has significant knowledge and experience in oncology nursing.
Additionally, patients may feel more confident knowing that their caregiver is official certified in the specific care they are receiving. People recognize that RNs may specialize in specific areas of care. A recent study showed that 8 out of 10 people are aware that nurses may receive specialized certification.
Chemo Certification: Chemotherapy Certification For RN (Registered Nurses)
Oncology nurses should look to get chemotherapy certification through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. The ONCC was one of the 1st organizations to provide certification for registered nurses, and was founded in 1985 in order to provide a formal chemotherapy certification process for nurses. Chemo certification helps nurses keep up with the latest news and issues related to oncology and also provide a publicly accountable standard for oncology nurses.
Chemo Certification: Eligibility For Chemotherapy Certification – Nurses
In order to qualify for the designation of Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), registered nurses seeking chemotherapy certification must fulfill 4 prerequisites.
- Must have a valid RN License
- Must have at least 1 year nursing experience
- Must have 1,000 hours work experience in oncology nursing
- Must earn at least 10 continuing education credits in oncology
Chemo Certification: Chemotherapy Certification Courses- Nurses
There are several review courses to prepare nurses for the chemotherapy certification exam, as well as continuing education chemotherapy certification courses available to nurses looking to meet course pre-requisites in order to qualify as certified oncology nurses. If you’re looking for chemotherapy certification courses in order to qualify for the continuing education credits, its important to verify that each chemotherapy certification course is provided by an accredited nursing continuing education provider.
It’s important not to mix up chemotherapy certification with being an oncology certified nurse (OCN). While registered nurses are eligible to receive an ONS Chemotherapy provider card when they complete a course like the ONS Chemotherapy and biotherapy course, this is not to be confused with chemotherapy certification, which includes criteria that measures clinical knowledge and experience. Below you’ll find a list of accredited continuing education providers:
- (ONS) Oncology Nursing Society
- (APHON)Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
- (ANCC) American Nurses Credentialing Center, as well as organizations accredited by the ANCC.
- (ANA) American Nurses Association
- (AACN) American Association of Critical Care Nurses
- (AWHONN) Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
- (AANA) American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
- (AANP) American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- (EONS) European Oncology Nursing Society
- (IACET) International Association of Continuing Education and Training
- Korean Oncology Nursing Society
- Medom Nursing CE
- (NAPNAP) National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
- (NANN) National Association of Neonatal Nurses
- (NPWH) National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
- (NLN) National League for Nursing
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal College of Nursing, Australia
- State Nurses Associations
- State Boards of Nursing (Alabama, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, West Virginia)
- (WISHET) Wisconsin Society for Health Education and Training
Chemo Certification: Examination For Chemotherapy Certification – Nurses
To receive chemotherapy certification, nurses must pass a certification exam from the ONCC. The ONCC certification exam covers 11 topics:
- Screening
- Early detection & Diagnosis
- Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
- Scientific Basis
- Modalities of Cancer Treatment
- Symptom Management
- Cancer Emergencies
- Psychosocial Issues Related To Cancer Care
- Survivorship
- Sexuality
- End of Life Care
- Professional Performance
The largest portions of the test are dedicated to symptom management and modalities of cancer treatment.
Chemo Certification: Fees For Chemotherapy Certification
Application fees in order to obtain chemotherapy certification range between $295-$480, though this varies depending if you are a member of the ONS or APOHN and whether you are 65 years or older. Applications may be submitted online, or through paper. Paper applications are charged an additional $25 fee.
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