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When Renee Pearl went to work as an oncology nurse for Lee Memorial
Health System two years ago, she committed to obtaining the Oncology
Nursing Society national certification. This certification
validates the nurse’s knowledge of cancer nursing in prevention,
detection, diagnosis and treatment of all cancers. Renee felt this
certification was not just about being well versed in cancer and
treatments, but more importantly about using this knowledge to help
patients. “It is a big benefit for your patients,” says Renee, RN,
OCN. “It’s such an amazing journey to help someone. The
certification makes you much more confident.”
The Oncology Nursing Society offers two types of certification
for oncology nurses: the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) and the ONS
Chemotherapy certification. The chemotherapy certification consists
of a course designed specifically for the administration of
chemotherapy and/or biotherapy. The course consists of a didactic
piece, including two days of class work, and then personal
observation on the administration of chemotherapy agents.
All LMHS oncology nurses who administer chemotherapy are required
to have the ONS Chemotherapy certification, according to Anne Holt,
MSN, OCN, Nursing Director of Oncology Support. “Being an oncology
certified nurse means they not only have knowledge of the disease
process, but prevention, detection and treatment, as well. It is a
field where treatments and technology change rapidly and
certification enables the nurse to stay on top of the changes,” says
Anne.
LMHS recently completed an Oncology Core Curriculum, which consisted
of lectures taught by nursing experts and physicians. This course
served as an introduction for nurses new to oncology, a preparation
course for nurses who wanted to sit for the certification exam and
as a refresher for more experienced nurses who already have their
certification. The classes lasted for nine months, and nurses
attended eight hours each month. “The OCN certification helps
reaffirm that what you are doing is worthwhile. It helps you to know
that you are a true professional, with advanced knowledge and skill
and this allows you to give quality care to your patients,” says
Renee. |
