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certification/newsT h e N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e O n c o l o g y N u r s i n g C e r t i f i c a t i o n C o r p o r a t i o n

President’s Message . . . 2Pearl Moore Champion . . . 3

What Is ILNA . . . 4Chapter Certification Grants . . . 6

CPON® of the Year . . . 72012 Test Dates . . . 10

Inside...

Vo lume XXV I , No. 1

What could an accomplished tri-athlete and oncol-ogy certified nurses have in common? More than you might expect.

Kyle Garlett, nationally recognized speaker, author, and Ironman competitor, was first diagnosed with lymphoma when he was 18 at the start of his senior year in high school. By the age of 26, he had battled four cancers and spent a total of 54 months undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant all while completing college and landing a dream job as a sports writer. By 35, he’d added a hip replacement and a heart transplant to his incredible medical odyssey.

Garlett’s is a story of survival against all odds. A suc-cessful writer and speaker, Garlett also has become a fierce competitor in triathlons–a grueling combination of marathon running, swimming, and cycling that is physically and men-tally demanding. He was the first heart transplant recipient to compete in the most challenging triathlon, the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. When asked why he com-petes in the Ironman, Garlett responded, “Because I can.”

Be there as Kyle Garlett shares “My Journey Back to Life” at the ONCC Recognition Breakfast for Oncology Certified

Nurses on Friday, May 4, 2012, in New Orleans, LA. His winning humor and unending opti-mism will inspire you.

Watch your e-mail in mid March for details on how to reserve your ticket for this not to be missed event. Tickets will be available only to certified nurs-es and must be reserved online.

This activity has been submitted to ONS for approval to award contact hours. ONS is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Cre-dentialing Center’s COA.

Guess Who’s Coming to Breakfast? Ironman Kyle!

New eligibility criteria for advanced oncology certification test candidates will take effect in 2013. What does this

mean for nurses who are interested in advanced certification from ONCC? The new pathways will allow for more combina-tions of academic education, advanced practice experience, and oncology-specific education to meet the eligibility criteria for the AOCNP® or AOCNS® examination.

The new pathways support the APRN Consensus Model, which has received widespread support from educational in-stitutions, certification, accreditation, and regulatory bodies. The new eligibility criteria will affect nurses who apply to

take an AOCNP® or AOCNS® Test beginning in 2013. Candi-dates must meet the criteria in only one of the pathways to be eligible to take the test. The pathways will not apply to renewal of current AOCNP®, AOCNS®, or AOCN® certification. Eligibility criteria for certification renewal has not changed. Nurses who meet the eligibility criteria for renewal of these credentials may continue to renew as they do now.

Review the new eligibility criteria that will be in place next year as well other valuable information about advanced prac-tice nursing, on the ONCC Web site at http://www.oncc.org/Advanced.

New Pathways to Advanced Certification Coming in 2013

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“Learning is not a product of schooling but the lifelong at-tempt to acquire it.” Albert Einstein

Lifelong learning is a continuous engagement in acquir-ing and applying knowledge and skills in the context of

self-direction. Just as we weave a basket, we must intertwine learning throughout our careers in both formal and informal ways. When formal academic education is complete, learning does not stop, and in many ways is just beginning as a nurse embarks on his or her career. Likewise, learning does not stop when a certification examination is passed and a credential is obtained. The dynamic and complex nature of health care requires that we continually update our knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective patient care. It is this philosophy of lifelong learning that became the foundation for the develop-ment of a new and innovative method for renewing oncology nursing certification that will first affect those nurses who be-come certified or renew certification in 2012 and thereafter.

The key to weaving integrated learning into our careers is the ability to identify gaps in knowledge and skills, assess our learning needs, and seek opportunities to meet those needs and close the gaps. It is important for certified nurses to main-tain the appropriate level of knowledge and skills as repre-sented by the credential they hold. ONCC has developed a new method to help nurses accomplish this. Beginning in 2016, ONCC-certified nurses will be able to renew their certification via a focused professional development approach known as the Individual Learning Needs Assessment or ILNA. The first group of nurses to use the method will be those who become certified or renew certification in 2012. I am one of those nurs-es. How will I prepare for this innovative approach to renewing my certification? Follow me as I learn about this new method through all the guidelines that ONCC has prepared for me and other ONCC certified nurses.

First of all, I plan to use ONC-PRO to renew my certification in 2012. As soon as I renew, I will begin to think about my next renewal, which will be due in 2016. I will have the option of taking the certification examination for renewal, but I am con-fident that I will use the new ILNA method instead. The most important thing I realize is that I’m not alone and I know that the ONCC staff is always available to answer my questions and walk me through the process. I can contact them via e-mail at oncc@oncc.org or by telephone toll-free at 877-769-6622.

I will start out by accessing the ONCC Web site, because I know the information I need is there for me to read. This infor-mation gives me the background knowledge I need to prepare to renew by the ILNA method. I will learn that I will still have the option of renewing my certification through professional development activities such as accredited continuing nursing education, continuing medical education, academic education, professional presentations or publications. But the change is that I will first take an online assessment (not a test) to deter-mine my learning needs and that I will focus my learning plan on those needs. I learn that the assessments will be available in early 2013 and I plan to take it then so I will have plenty of time to complete the professional development activities be-fore 2016. I am happy to learn that I can take the assessment at my own computer and that there is no fee to take it. I am relieved to know that I will not pass or fail this assessment. The assessment is intended to guide me as to my strengths and weaknesses and identify areas in which I need further de-velopment in order to renew my certification.

The report of my performance on the assessment will be very important because it will provide direction as to the con-tent areas in which I will need to seek professional develop-ment activities. I am pleased because I will be able to focus my learning on the content areas in which my knowledge is not strong and round out my comprehensive knowledge base of oncology nursing. This is very important to me, because I want to be confident that my credential is as rigorous at represent-ing my broad oncology knowledge as it was the day I obtained it in 1988. I know that the patients for whom I provide care and the nurses and oncologists with whom I work respect my credential as much as I do. More importantly, I realize that the ILNA approach to certification renewal will assist me in my goal of life-long learning, which will increase my confidence in my knowledge and ability.

I am equally pleased that I will need to attain professional development ONLY in the areas identified by the assessment and that the number of points I will need to attain will likely be less than the 100 points that is currently required through ONC-PRO. If the assessment does not identify any learning needs for me, I will be required to attain only 25 points in the content areas of my choosing, as long as they are represented on the current OCN® Test Blueprint.

(See “Lifelong Learning” on page 7)

President’s Message

Lifelong Learning Creates Strong Base for Certification RenewalJo Visser, RN, BSN, OCN®

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The purpose of ONCC’s Pearl Moore Certification Champion Award is

to recognize and support an individual, group, or institution that is a true cham-pion for oncology nursing certification. William and Linda Bray demonstrate a strong dedication to oncology certifica-tion that broadens accessibility for Cali-fornia oncology nurses.

For some, becoming certified in on-cology nursing isn’t easy. In addition to the time and commitment required, the cost can create a barrier, especially if an employer is unwilling or unable to sub-sidize certification. There is, however, a program founded by William and Linda Bray and administered by the Califor-nia Freemasons that helps off-set the costs associated with certification. The program is called “By Your Side,” and its mission is “to make a profound dif-ference in the lives of cancer patients and their families by putting oncology-certified nurses by their side.”

What motivated William and Linda Bray to create this program? It was the Grand Master’s Project for 2010 and 2011. Bill was the Masons’ Grand Master in California during that time. “Each year the Grand Master sponsors a program,” Bill explains, “and both Linda and I are cancer survivors.” The program, funded by the California Free-masons, annually will provide 12–15 grants for ONCC certification testing fees to registered nurses in California.

Each year, 120,000 Californians

learn that they have cancer. Linda says, “We heard stories about people’s moth-ers, fathers, sisters, brothers, spouses, and friends who were taken by cancer.”

After learning that only 2,500 ONCC-certified nurses existed in the entire state, the Brays decided to change it. Bill explains, “People work with their oncology nurses and become close to them.”

“We started out with a donation to the City of Hope for $50,000,” Bill says. “But, that money can go to any number of things—the facility, doc-tors, research, and so on. We wanted specifically to fund ONCC certification

and to allow rural nurses, in particular, to become certified so that the patients in outlying areas don’t have to drive so far to receive excellent treatment.” Pro-gram startup was given the extra push needed by Masonic program managers and the California Masons Director of Philanthropy, Doug Ismail.

“We traveled up and down the state,” Linda says, “and everyone participated with open arms.” Each lodge in Califor-nia may contribute to the fund; most already have done so and will do so in the future to ensure the program con-tinues.

Because of their commitment to ONCC certification and to providing the best possible care for patients with cancer, the couple recently was honored with the Pearl Moore Certifi-cation Champion Award in recognition of the By Your Side program, which will outlast the initial Grand Master’s 2010–2011 project. “It will go on for-ever and ever,” Bill says, “until we run out of money.”

Nurses who attend ONS Congress will have the opportunity to meet Bill and Linda Bray in the ONCC Certifica-tion Oasis following the ONCC Recog-nition Breakfast for Oncology Certified Nurses on Friday, May 4, 2012 in New Orleans, LA.

Learn more about the By Your Side program, and access the application form at http://www.freemason.org/byy-ourside/about.htm.

By Your Side: Helping Those Who Help OthersPearl Moore Certification Champion Award Recipients William and Linda Bray

Cheryl Masse, childhood and adult cancer survivor, guest contributor

From left, ONCC Board member Kathy Riley and Executive Director Cyndi

Miller Murphy present the Pearl Moore Certification Champion Awared to Linda and William Bray during the Masons of California Annual gala.

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The short version: For the typical ONCC certified nurse, the individ-

ual learning needs assessment (ILNA) renewal method likely will result in fewer required professional develop-ment points; however, the required points will be in specific content ar-eas identified through an assessment, based on the individual nurse’s limita-tions in knowledge.

The ILNA method represents a sig-nificant change in the way ONCC certi-fied nurses will become recertified in the future, and although the process will not be fully in place until 2016, it will affect nurses who attain or re-new certification beginning in 2012. My goal in this column is to offer some basic information regarding the ILNA method, why it is important for certi-fied nurses, and how ONCC has de-veloped the program in a manner that rewards the nurses who have incorpo-rated lifelong learning into their nurs-ing career. Perhaps the simplest way to understand the ILNA method is to look at it as a process that ensures the certified nurse continues to maintain at least a minimum level of knowledge.

To answer the question regarding why recertification is even required, consider again what certification rep-resents. Certification without some re-quirement to ensure continued compe-tence would cause certification to lose its meaning and value over time.

The strategies for ensuring that the ONCC certified nurse maintains cur-rent knowledge have evolved just as

the world of oncology nursing contin-ues to evolve. From 1990–2002, get-ting recertified meant having to retake the certification examination to ensure the specialized knowledge of the nurse was maintained.

Then, the Oncology Nursing Certi-fication points renewal option (ONC-PRO) became an option to renew cer-tification. The philosophy behind this approach is that through participation in professional development activi-ties, the nurse is able to maintain the level of knowledge that represents the value of the credential. Nurses who use ONC-PRO may choose the content of their professional development be-cause ONC-PRO has no requirements regarding the specificity of the content beyond the broad category of oncology.

As the ONCC Board examined trends in the assurance of continued competency for health professionals, it sought to establish a more rigorous method for recertification. With the es-tablishment of the ILNA method, the Board developed a method that is not only more meaningful but also simpler for nurses to complete.

For nurses taking a certification test in 2012 and going forward, their examination score report will provide information about their strengths and weaknesses in each content area of the certification examination blue-print. Using this information, nurses will be provided direction for profes-sional development that will be re-quired over the four-year period of their

certification. Subsequent certification renewals using ILNA will require the nurse to take assessment. The assess-ment results will be used to determine requirements for the next recertifica-tion. A nurse who meets the minimum benchmark set by the ONCC Board in all categories of the assessment will be required to do only the minimum number of 25 points over the next four years. For each content area in which a nurse does not meet the benchmark, a specified number of professional devel-opment points will be required based on the weighting of that content area in the blueprint. The maximum number of points will be 100. Nurses who opt not to retest or take the assessment, will be required to attain 100 points based on the weighting of each of the content areas.

For those who renew by ONC-PRO in 2012, ONCC will administer the first online individual learning needs assessment in early 2013. The as-sessment results will provide valu-able information regarding the nurse’s knowledge base. Based on perfor-mance on the assessment, directions will be provided regarding the profes-sional development points that will be required for the next recertification. Keep in mind that all nurses who re-new certification through 2015 will use one of the current methods (e.g., ONC-PRO) but should prepare for ILNA soon after they renew.

For detailed information about ILNA please go to www.oncc.org/ILNA.

ONCC Board Update

What Is ILNA, and Why Is It Important?Michael Smart, RN, BSN, OCN®

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I f you’re an AOCN® who’s considered obtaining the AOCNP® or AOCNS®

credential, or a CPON® who’s thought about taking the CPHON® test, now is the time to act. You can apply to take a 2012 or 2013 AOCNP®, AOCNS® or CPHON® test for 50% off the usual ap-plicable fee.

This discount is available only to cur-rently certified AOCN®s who apply for an AOCNP® or AOCNS® test and cur-rently certified CPON®s who apply for a CPHON® test. The test application must be received by the test application deadline for the desired test date. The offer is valid only on tests to be taken in 2012 or 2013. Nurses must meet the eligibility criteria for the desired test.

Why are these candidates being of-fered a discounted fee? In 2016, the individual learning needs assessment (ILNA) method will become available as a certification renewal method for OCN®, CPHON®, AOCNP®, AOCNS®, and CBCN® certification. The ILNA method will require the candidate to complete a learning needs assessment, which is based on the current test blue-print. Depending on their performance on the assessment, candidates may need to earn as few as 25 professional development points toward certification renewal. However, because there is no current AOCN® and CPON® test blue-print on which to base an assessment, an assessment will not be available for

AOCN® and CPON® renewal candidates. Nurses who wish to maintain these cre-dentials will be required to earn 100 professional development points for certification renewal, similar to the cur-rent ONC-PRO renewal method.

AOCN® and CPON® candidates may find it beneficial in the long term to ob-tain a credential that can be renewed by the ILNA method. The discount is being offered to offset the expense associated with obtaining the new credential for these nurses who have been oncology certified for years.

For more information, visit the ONCC Web site at http://www.oncc.org, or con-tact ONCC at 877-769-6622 or onccc@oncc.org.

AOCN® and CPON® Certified Nurses Can Save Big on Certification Tests

Would you like to demonstrate that you possess knowledge of radiation oncol-ogy nursing and that you’ve completed recent continuing education in this sub-specialty practice area? Now you can.

Earn the new Certificate of Added Qualification in Radiation Oncology Nursing. ONCC and the Oncology Nurs-ing Society (ONS) joined together to offer a Radiation Oncology Nursing Certificate Program. Nurses who com-plete the ONS Web course and pass the end of course test developed by ONCC, will earn a Certificate of Added Quali-fication in Radiation Oncology Nursing from ONCC. In addition, by completing the course evaluation, nurses can earn 15 contact hours of accredited continu-ing nursing education (CNE) from ONS. This CNE may be used to meet eligibil-ity criteria for initial certification or for renewal by ONC-PRO or the ILNA

method.How does a certificate program dif-

fer from certification? This certificate program requires completion of an educational course or learning activity designed to meet specified learning ob-jectives and passing a test based on the material presented in the program. The certificate indicates that the nurse has successfully completed all of the course or learning activity requirements and possesses the knowledge that the activ-ity is intended to provide. A credential is not awarded with a certificate, and as is the case with the Radiation Oncology Nursing certificate, there are no ongo-ing requirements for renewal of a cer-tificate.

A certification, such as OCN® or CPHON®, validates that a nurse pos-sesses the knowledge necessary to competently perform the tasks and

behaviors associated with a specific job or nursing role. A candidate for certifi-cation must meet minimum criteria for licensure, experience, and education to be eligible for certification. The purpose of certification is to validate specialized knowledge and not to provide an edu-cational experience. Therefore, a certi-fication test is based on a broad body of knowledge and is not associated with completion of a specific learning ac-tivity. A credential is usually awarded upon attainment of certification to rec-ognize the knowledge it represents, and requirements are in place for renewal of certification.

The Radiation Oncology Nursing Cer-tificate Program is available now, and course dates are scheduled throughout 2012. Visit the CNE Central area of the ONS Web site at http://www.ons.org/CNECentral to get started.

Earn a Certificate of Added Qualification in Radiation Oncology Nursing

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Chapter Certification Grants:

Financial Support Makes a DifferenceAshley Leak, PhD, RN-BC, OCN®

ONCC supports APHON and ONS chapter activities that recognize

and encourage oncology nursing certi-fication. Three chapter grant recipients offered certification courses for free or at a low cost and scholarships for chap-ter members. They share their projects and outcomes.

The Metro Atlanta ONS (MAONS) chapter provides opportunities for MA-ONS members to attain and maintain certification. The grant supports schol-arships for two members to attend a review course, two scholarships for a member to take any one of the certifica-tion examinations for the first time, and two scholarships for members who are eligible for recertification. A require-ment for receiving one of the six schol-arships entails committing to serve in a leadership capacity for the chapter for one year. The MAONS chapter is making a difference in Atlanta.

The Southern Maine ONS (SMONS) chapter discussed how they could give back to the community of oncology nurs-es by promoting and supporting profes-sional development through an OCN® review course. Some members of the chapter had not pursued certification be-cause of financial reasons and SMONS wanted to address this barrier. In Octo-ber 2011, 28 nurses attended an OCN® review course that facilitated discussion and increased collegial relationships. At-tendees stated, “Please offer this course to local nurses on a yearly basis. Thank you so much for providing this course to all oncology nurses throughout the state of Maine. SMONS has raised the bar in offering this opportunity for nurses to seek certification with a free, well-organized, informative review course.” SMONS provided a high quality review course supporting future oncology certi-fied nurses.

The Greater Baltimore Chapter of ONS (GBCONS) demonstrates a long, consistent history of promoting oncology certification. In 2010, the chapter was recognized a second time for having the highest number of certified members. The focus of the certification grant was to encourage initial certification and pro-mote the continuation of learning needed to maintain certification. The grant sup-ported 43 attendees at the October 2011 review course, increased the number of certified nurses in the chapter, and new members were recruited. GBCONS has a history of promoting oncology certifica-tion, and this is evident in their current project.

The ONCC Chapter Grant awardees thank ONCC for the generous financial support to encourage, support, and rec-ognize oncology certification. For more information about chapter grants, visit www.oncc.org.

You may—why not nominate a colleague or yourself for the 2012 Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse of the Year

Award? Nominees must have demonstrated significant accom-plishments in pediatric oncology or hematology nursing, oncol-ogy nursing service, and promotion of certification. The recipi-

ent will be presented with $1,000 and a crystal award during the ONCC Recognition Breakfast for Oncology Certified Nurses during the 2012 APHON Annual Conference in Pittsburgh.

Nominations are due April 1. Nomination forms are avail-able at http://www.oncc.org/Awards/Awards/CPON.

Do You Know the Next CPON®/CPHON® of the Year?

Lucy Hertel, RN, BSN, OCN®, a gyne-cology/oncology nurse coordinator

at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, will join the ONCC Board of Direc-tors on June 1, 2012. Lucy was elected to a three-year term in the recent ONCC Board of Directors election.

In her candidate statement, Lucy expressed this view on certifica-tion, “As our profession becomes

more subspecialized, we need to ensure minimal competency of the general on-cology nurse and higher competencies of the subspecialized nurse. Certifica-tion signifies professional commitment and validates achievement of specialized knowledge to the public.” Lucy previous-ly served on the OCN® Test Development Committee, as an OCN® item writer and as a mentor for CBCN® item writers.

Lucy Hertel to Join ONCC Board

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Deborah Briseno-Toomey, RN, CPON®, serves as a nurse practitioner in the pediatric leukemia team at City of

Hope. “She is an excellent role model for both new and expe-rienced nurses.” states Anna Pawlowska, MD, ”She greatly enhances our team through her many positive contributions.” One of those contributions is her passion for oncology cer-tification. Deborah became a CPON® in 1999 and began advocating for certifi-cation among her colleagues. Her advo-cacy trajectory began with peer-to-peer encouragement that transformed into formalized mentoring, coaching, and program development.

Deborah has a wealth of experience within pediatric oncology. She is a lead-er within APHON, locally and nationally, and a member of the Children’s Oncology Group. Deborah also held a nursing facilitator position with California State University, Fullerton. Her contributions to research include a collaboration with Cal State LA and City of Hope in the arena of oral chemotherapy adherence in childhood Acute lympho-blastic leukemia. She serves as a preceptor for University of California Los Angeles graduate students and lectures on a plethora of pediatric oncology topics locally, regionally, and nationally. Deborah’s professional collaborations include working on patient education materials for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and co-developing an educational Web-based module for adult oncology nurses caring for adolescent and young adult patients on a Cancer and Leukemia Group

B protocol. As a clinician, researcher, and educator, Deborah is well-

equipped to provide program initiatives that assist others in their pursuit of certification. “She is known to take clinical scenarios that arise in everyday practice and use them as informal teaching opportunities to enhance nurses’ knowl-

edge of pediatric oncology” says Wendy Landier, PhD, RN, NP. “This helps them gain confidence in their ability to under-stand broader concepts and apply them to real-life situations.” In order to for-malize learning, Deborah embraced the responsibility of creating a robust certi-fication review course and staff recogni-tion program. The program includes in-dividualized coaching and mentoring for

test preparation in addition to the lectures offered. She suc-cessfully recruited content experts to present to maximize learner interaction with the material and enhance application and retention. Deborah also built a complementary recogni-tion program to increase interest and formally distinguish the nursing journey toward certification. Awa Jones, RN, BSN, CPHON®, MSHCM, says, “Debbie ensures that patients not only receive exceptional care through her outstanding clini-cal skills and knowledge, but she also significantly impacts overall patient care through her efforts to enhance profes-sional education for our professional staff.” Thank you, Debo-rah, for role-modeling professionalism and promoting nurs-ing certification!

Deborah Briseno-Toomey Named 2011 Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse of the YearJanice Nuuhiwa, MSN, APN/CNS, CPON®

Lifelong Learning (continued from page 2)

As I make my plans, I begin to wonder about the nurses with

whom I work that will be seeking cer-tification for the first time in 2012. As I review the information, I note that they will not be required to take the assessment for renewal because their

score reports from the certification examination will inform them of the content areas in which they will be required to attain professional devel-opment for their first renewal cycle in 2016. These areas will be the ones in which their score reports indicate they

are in need of additional education. I hope you will join me on my jour-

ney to learn about ILNA and use it for your certification renewal in 2016. I think you will find it to be more meaningful and rigorous, yet very user-friendly!

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ONCC Executive Director Honored With Certification Industry Award

O NCC Executive Director, Cyndi Miller Murphy, MSN, RN, CAE,

recently was presented with the 2011 Credentialing Industry Leadership Award from the Institute for Creden-tialing Excellence (ICE). This award recognizes an individual who has dem-onstrated innovative leadership in the field of credentialing and/or licensure by developing, implementing, and re-searching programs or practices.

Cyndi’s leadership has guided ONCC’s growth as a certifying body for more than two decades. When she first joined ONCC, the OCN® certifica-tion was the only credential offered. Today, ONCC administers seven cer-tification programs, and more than 32,000 nurses currently are certified.

In addition to holding both bache-

lor’s and master’s degrees in nursing,

Cyndi is a Certified Association Ex-ecutive with 25 years of experience in

certification and association manage-ment. She has served as a Commis-sioner on the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the accrediting body for certification programs, and has held the offices of secretary/trea-surer and president of the ICE Board of Directors. She also actively partici-pates in the leadership of the Ameri-can Board of Nursing Specialties. She is highly regarded as an expert and leader in the credentialing field.

Cyndi was presented with her award in November 2011, during the ICE annual educational conference in New Orleans. ICE is a non-profit or-ganization dedicated to providing edu-cational, networking, and advocacy resources for the credentialing com-munity.

Readers Share Their Motivations for Becoming Certified

The ONCC Certification News asked “What or who motivated you to

become certified?” The following are a sample of the responses received. Thanks to all who shared their reasons for pursuing certification in oncology nursing.

“Co-workers in a busy outpatient he-matology/oncology clinic encouraged me to take the exam after less than one year of being employed with them. They insisted I could pass the exam even though I had a newborn. So, in May of 1989, I traveled from Iowa to San Fran-cisco (leaving my three-month-old) to take the exam and passed! I had want-ed to become certified at some point to prove to myself that I had “x” amount of

oncology knowledge and was worthy to care for the wonderful patients placed in my care. (My co-workers just pushed me sooner!)”

Diane Asmussen, RN-BC, OCN®, BSNDubuque, IA

“I work in a community hospital with-out a dedicated oncology floor. I felt that especially in this type of circumstance, patients with cancer deserved an oncol-ogy nurse. Although I was very knowl-edgeable about oncology, I didn’t feel I could call myself an oncology nurse without being certified. Without any support from my facility, I studied hard; I read the Principles of Cancer Nurs-ing, took a certification review course,

studied from the core curriculum, and used study guides. I was certified in 1998—one of my proudest moments.”

Janice Reynolds, RN, BC, OCN®, CHPNMid Coast HospitalBrunswick, ME

Reader’s ResponseIf you could create the perfect certifi-cation newsletter, what content would be in it? Would it be in an interactive format? Would it be printer-friendly? Would you like in-depth articles or short stories with lots of photos? Help us build a better certification newslet-ter by telling us what you’d like to see! Send your responses to oncc@oncc.org.

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Employers Staffing With Certified Nurses

ONCC recently presented 54 institu-tions with recognition plaques for

staffing their facilities with oncology certified nurses. ONCC presents these plaques free-of-charge to patient care facilities where the majority (more than 50%) of professional nurses are ONCC certified.

If you would like to apply for a plaque for your organization, visit http://www.oncc.org/Awards/Plaques. Congratulations to these institutions. Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, Breast

Center in Bolingbrook, ILAnne Arundel Medical Center, Outpatient

Infusion Donner Pavilion in Annapolis, MD

Beebe Medical Center, Tunnell Cancer Center in Lewes, DE

Berks Hematology Oncology Associates in West Reading, PA

Cancer Center at Harrington in South-bridge, MA

Carolinas Medical Center, Blumenthal Cancer Center in Charlotte, NC

Center for Cancer Care in Huntsville, ALCentral Utah Cancer Center, Medical On-

cology in Provo, UTChildren’s Hospital Boston, 6 West He-

matopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit in Massachusetts

Children’s National Medical Center, Cen-ter for Cancer and Blood Disorders of Northern Virginia in Falls Church

Christ Hospital, Cancer Center in Cincin-nati, OH

Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute—Bardmoor in Largo, FL

Hampden County Physician Associates LLC, Infusion Center in Springfield, MA

Hematology Oncology Associates, PC in Albuquerque, NM

Hematology and Oncology Associates of Rhode Island in Cranston

Henry Ford Health System, Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Hematology/On-cology in Dearborn, MI

Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Cen-ter, Hematology/Oncology Infusion Center in Ohio

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Breast Medical Oncology in New York, NY

Methodist Hospital, OPC 21 in Houston, TX

Ministry Door County Medical Center, Door County Cancer Center in Stur-geon Bay, WI

Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 3CNorth in Wilmington, DE

North Colorado Medical Center, Cancer Institute, Oncology Outpatient Infu-sion, Radiation Oncology and Research in Greeley, CO

Northwestern/Lake Forest Hospital, Out-patient Oncology/Infusion in Illinois

Ohio State University James Cancer Hos-pital and Solove Research Institute, Hematology and Transplant Clinic in Columbus

Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Oncology/Hematology/Infusion in California

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Ra-diation Oncology in Albany, GA

Phoenixville Hospital, Cancer Center in Pennsylvania

Saint Cloud Hospital, Medical/Oncology Unit in Minnesota

Saint Francis Medical Center, Infusion Center in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sharon Regional Health System, Cancer Care Center in Hermitage, PA

Simmons Cancer Center/UT Southwest-ern, Breast Center in Dallas, TX

St. Joseph Medical Center, Outpatient On-cology Infusion Clinic in Tacoma, WA

St. Luke’s Allentown Cancer Center, Infu-sion Center in Pennsylvania

St. Luke’s Hospital, Cancer Care Associ-ates in Bethlehem, PA

Texas Oncology Cancer Center in AustinTexas Oncology—Medical City in DallasTrinity Medical Center, Cancer Center in

Moline, ILTrinity Medical Center, Infusion Center in

Moline, ILUNC Health Care, Bone Marrow Trans-

plant Clinic in Chapel Hill, NCUniversity Hospitals Seidman Cancer

Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, OH

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Lake Health in Mentor, OH

University Medical Center—Bracken-ridge, Shivers Cancer Center in Austin, TX

University of Chicago Medical Center, On-cology Care Center 6NW in Illinois

UPMC Cancer Center in New Castle, PAUPMC Cancer Center in Steubenville, OHVCU Health System, Stony Point Oncol-

ogy Clinic in Richmond, VAWest Georgia Health, Ambulatory Infu-

sion in LagrangeWilcox Memorial Hospital, Infusion Cen-

ter in Lihue, HIWillamette Valley Cancer Institute—

Medical Oncology in Eugene, ORWillamette Valley Cancer Institute—Flor-

ence, Medical Oncology in Florence, OR

Willamette Valley Cancer Institute—Riv-erbend, Medical Oncology in Spring-field, OR

Winship Cancer Institute Emory Health-care, Radiation Oncology in Atlanta, GA

Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, Guilford Treatment Center in New Ha-ven, CT

10

cert i f icat ion/newsVo lume XXV I , No. 1

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation was established for the development, administra-tion, and evaluation of a program for certification in oncology nursing. Oncology Nursing Certifica-tion Corporation, 125 Enterprise Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214 (+1-877-769-ONCC or +1-412-859-6104, phone; +1-412-859-6168, fax; oncc@oncc.org, e-mail; www.oncc.org, Web site)

Jo Visser, RN, BSN, OCN®, PresidentSusan Bruce, RN, MSN, OCN®, Vice PresidentLauri Linder, PhD, APRN, CPON®, Secretary/

TreasurerCarol Brueggen, MS, APRN, BC, AOCNS® Mary Pat Johnston, RN, MS, AOCN® Kathy Riley, BSCheryl Rodgers, PhD, RN, CPNP, CPON®

Mary Beth Singer, MS, ANP-BC, AOCN® Michael Smart, RN, BSN, OCN®

Carl Brown, RN, PhD, AOCN®, Ex-OfficioPaula Trahan Rieger, RN, MSN, CAE, FAAN,

Ex-Officio

ONCC Board of Directors

The mission of the Oncology Nursing Certifi-cation Corporation is to promote excellence in patient care and professional practice by validating specialized knowledge in oncol-ogy nursing and related specialties.

ONCC Mission Statement

Janice Nuuhiwa, RN, MSN, APN/CNS, CPON®, Chair

Ashley Leak, RN, MSN, OCN®

Michelle Ellis, RN, OCN®, CBCN®

Deena Centofanti, RN, MS, AOCN®

Michael Smart, RN, BSN, OCN®, Board Liaison

ONCC Certification News

Editorial BoardApply Now for 2012 Test Dates

OCN®, CBCN®, CPHON® Test Dates Apply By (to save $100!)

July 2–September 29, 2012 April 4, 2012

October 1–December 31, 2012 July 5, 2012

AOCNP® and AOCNS® tests will be available February 1–December 31, 2012. Candidates who want to be sure of a 90-day testing window in 2012

should apply by September 1, 2012.

International testing (all credentials) will be available November 1–30, 2012, at select locations outside North America. Candidates

should apply by July 18, 2012.

Certified Nurses Become Advocates for Certification

Twenty one oncology certified nurses recently volunteered to promote the

benefits of certification by joining the ONCC Advocates Program. Advocates are oncology certified nurses who pro-mote the benefits of certification in their workplace, chapter, or community. Cur-rently, more than 750 nurses participate as Advocates. If you’d like to join, visit the Advocates area of the ONCC Web site at http://www.oncc.org/Support/Ad-vocates. Please join ONCC in welcoming

these certified nurses to the program.

Teresa Aho, Gilbert, AZNancy Adams,Wentzville, MOGeronima Cortese-Jimenez, Washington,

DCDonna Dimino, San Francisco, CAEmily Evans, Harrisburg, ILMelissa Foster, Springfield, OHValerie Gandar, Modesto, CAPamela Gebhardt, Tucson, AZStephanie Gibson, Richland, WA

Lauren Gingles, Nashville, TNJanet Gremillion, Chapel Hill, NCPeggy Hartley, Branson, MOCatherine Hertz, LaGrange, ILLucia Heylman, San Jose, CAMalinda Law, Palo Alto, CAStephanie Lucas, Pittsburgh, PAJulie Marks, Beaver Dam, WISusan Mason, Durham, NCNila Quinonez, Norfolk, VAEllen Ralph, Las Vegas, NVLisa Tulipani, Los Angeles, CA