Do your part as a nurse and earn an oncology certification, specializing your skills and aiding cancer patients and their families.
If you are looking for a career that offers both challenges and rewards, then you should look into earning an oncology certification. Technology is making great advances in the treatment of cancer, creating new and improved cancer treatments. These advances are creating a greater need for specialized nurses, especially nurses with an oncology degree.
The specialty you choose to pursue will determine which of the many oncology certification programs and oncology certification courses is right for you. Five programs are offered through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC):
The ONCC has two renewal certificates:
- Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON).
- Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN).
Eventually ONCC will include an exam for a Blood and Marrow Transplantation Certified Nurse (BMTCN).
The question of how to earn an oncology nursing certification starts and finishes with education. In order to apply for a nurse's license you need a bare minimum of an Associate of Science degree. Although it is strongly recommended you pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, as this may allow more opportunities for advancement. If you do have a Bachelor of Science degree, then you are eligible to train further for one of the advanced practice nurse (APN) courses.
Once you have earned your degree, you need to take the nursing licensure exam for your state. The exam itself is multiple choice and typically completed on a computer, or for a small extra fee can be done on paper.
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There are four exam sittings a year in February, May, August and November. In order to take the exam, applications must be received the month prior to the exam in January, April, July or October.
Exams for any of the advanced certifications begin at the start of February and continue until the end of December.
Several more things need to be done in order to fulfill the remaining oncology certification requirements:
- When you submit your application, you must practice full-time as a RN for a minimum of 12 months. This must be done within three years of the date of the application.
- You must also dedicate 1,000 hours as an oncology nurse during the same three year time period.
- Finally, you need to perform 10 contact hours as an oncology nurse, but only five of those hours may be put towards continuing education.
Being certified not only validates your knowledge and expertise in the field, it also offers peace of mind. Patients are in an especially fragile state, and they rely on caregivers to be calm, compassionate and confident. They expect staff to be comfortable with the technology and latest advances in their cancer care.
Oncology certification is extremely valuable these days because it is strictly voluntary, and it takes the right type of person to pursue the program. If you do decide to earn your oncology nursing certificate, the rewards will far outweigh the challenges.
Do it today! Join the fight against cancer!
Photo credit: breast cancer awareness by pfala via Compfight CC. Second photo credit: Siobhan with brain tumor behind eye by Vanessa Pike-Russell via Compfight CC. Third photo credit: MRI machine by digital cat  via Compfight CC.