ONC Certification

The initials ONC stand for Oncology Nurse Certified. This is a voluntary certification in nursing that the nurse who specializes in the care of cancer patients undergoes to validate the knowledge, skills, and expertise obtained in the practice of oncology, well above the level of training given in nursing school. The credentialing process is overseen by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). The certification is offered to nurses as a means of enriching their professional growth and adding to the quality of care in Oncology Nursing.

Qualifying for ONC Certification

Qualifications to sit for the ONC exam include having a current, unrestricted nursing license, and in the three years prior to application, one year experience as a registered nurse. You must have also had 1,000 hours in oncology nursing practice within the two and one half years before making application to take the exam. You must also have completed 10 continuing education units or an academic credit in oncology nursing within the three years before application; the experience may have been in bedside care, management, teaching, or research.

The ONC exam is a 165 item multiple-choice test that is designed to test the education, comprehension, and expertise of the oncology nurse. There are twenty non-score questions on the test which are being validated as potential test questions for use on future versions of the ONC exam. Candidates are allowed a maximum of three hours in which to finish the exam.

Candidates for renewal of their ONC certification status must meet licensure and practice requirements in order to be eligible to renew their certifications. One thousand practice hours must be accumulated within the two and one-half year period before renewal.

The ONC board website contains a candidate handbook that is available for download free of charge. The handbook gives detailed information on the eligibility and application process, the testing process, and certification renewal. The handbook also contains a test outline and a list of suggested study references. The candidate should consult the handbook throughout the certification process and utilize the study resources to have the best chance possible for passing the exam.

The ONC is a method by which the skills and competence of the individual nurse are validated and recognized. Certification can give the nurse a sense of pride and provide professional growth and enrichment.

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