Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN ) Certificationpsons.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/OCN-Exam-Overview.pdfCredential Certification Title Type of Certification OCN ® Oncology Certified

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Oncology Certified Nurse®

(OCN®) Certification

Juanita L. Madison, RN, MN, AOCN

Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Objectives

• Describe eligibility criteria, resources, and

application process for taking the OCN®

exam.

• Identify test-taking strategies that optimize

performance on the OCN® exam.

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Disclaimer

• This course is not developed, provided,

sponsored, or endorsed by the Oncology Nurse

Certification Corporation (ONCC).

• Participation in a review course does not

guarantee successful completion of a

certification test.

• This course does provide contact hours that may

be used to meet eligibility requirements for

initial certification or for renewal of certification

by ONC-PRO

What is Nursing Certification?

• Formal recognition of specialized knowledge,

skills, and experience in nursing

• Demonstrated by achieving standards identified

by a nursing subspecialty to promote health

outcomes

– OCN® exam based on role delineation study of

oncology nursing practice conducted in 2012

Fabrey, L & Irwin, Z. (2012). A Role Delineation Study of the Oncology Certified Nurse. Applied Measurement Professionals,

Inc. (AMP) & Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation (ONCC). Retrieved September 22, 2013 from

http://www.oncc.org/TakeTest/Certifications/media/oncc/docs/certification/OCN_Role_Study_Summary_2012.pdf ;

American Board of Nursing Specialties. (2009). What is certification? Retrieved September 22, 2013 from

http://www.nursingcertification.org/questions.html#1 .

http://www.oncc.org/TakeTest/Certifications/media/oncc/docs/certification/OCN_Role_Study_Summary_2012.pdf

http://www.nursingcertification.org/questions.html#1

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Oncology Nursing

Certification Corporation (ONCC)

• Non-profit organization incorporated in 1984

• Mission:

– To promote excellence in patient care and professional practice by validating specialized knowledge in oncology nursing and related specialties

• Governed by a Board of Directors, who represent various levels of certification, roles in nursing, and the public at large.

• ONCC is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS)

• ONCC website address: www.oncc.org

Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation (2013). About ONCC. http://www.oncc.org/About , retrieved September 22, 2013

Oncology Certifications Available Credential Certification Title Type of Certification

OCN® Oncology Certified Nurse Basic level certification in adult

oncology nursing

CBCN®

Certified Breast Care Nurse Specialty certification that covers the

entire continuum of breast care

nursing practice

CPHON®

Certified Pediatric Hematology

Oncology Nurse

Basic level certification in pediatric

hematology oncology nursing

AOCNP®

Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse

Practitioner

Role-specific advanced certification

for nurse practitioners in adult

oncology

AOCNS®

Advanced Oncology Certified

Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS)

Role-specific advanced certification

for clinical nurse specialists in adult

oncology

BMTCN™ Blood and Marrow Transplantation

certified Nurse

Coming in 2014!

Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation, 2012. 2013 Oncology Nursing Certification Test Bulletin, page 3. Oncology Nurse

Certification Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA.

http://www.oncc.org/

http://www.oncc.org/About

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ONCC Oncology Nursing

Certification Test Bulletin

• Available to download online at

www.oncc.org

• Information on each type of

certification

• Test Candidate information

– Eligibility

– Application procedures

– Test check-in & ID requirements

– DEADLINES!!!

• Application & Instructions

• ONCC Policies

Eligibility Criteria for Initial

OCN Certification • Current, active, unrestricted RN license

– At time of application & examination

• Minimum 1 year experience (12 months) as an RN – In the last 3 years (36 month)

• Minimum 1,000 hours oncology nursing practice – Within last 2½ years (30 months)

• Minimum 10 contact hours of continuing education in the specialty of oncology nursing or an academic elective in oncology nursing – Within 3 years (36 months)

– Accredited provider or approver of nursing Continuing Ed – Maximum 5 contact hours CME (continuing medical education)

– CE certificates MUST be submitted with the application, or faxed or mailed within 48 hours


Certification Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA


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Initial Certification Applicants Submit:

• OCN Test application

– Apply online at www.oncc.org OR

– Submit paper application by fax or mail

• Details of required CE or academic elective in oncology nursing

has been completed

– Online applicants may be asked to submit documentation of completion by

fax or mail

– Fax or mail applicants will submit documentation with application

– Documentation may include:

• CE certificate

• Grade report

• Full payment



2014 Registration Deadlines

OCN, CPHON, & CBCN

2014 Test

Administration Dates

First Application

Deadline (Save $100)

Final Application

Deadline

Feb. 1 – March 31, 2014

November 13, 2013 November 13, 2013 (Early Bird Fee Applies)

April 1 – June 30, 2014 January 2, 2014

January 15, 2014

July 1 – Sept. 30, 2014 April 2, 2014 April 16, 2014

Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2014 July 2, 2014

July 16, 2014

• ONS Members save $120 on cost of exam

• Early Bird registration saves an additional $100

• Online application saves $25 over cost of paper application

Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation: 2013 Test Dates, Application Deadlines & Fees.

http://www.oncc.org/media/oncc/docs/certification/2013_test_dates_deadlines_fees.pdf , retrieved September 22, 2013.


http://www.oncc.org/media/oncc/docs/certification/2013_test_dates_deadlines_fees.pdf

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2014 Registration Deadlines BMTCN

2014 Test Administration

Dates

First Application Deadline

(Save $100)

Final Application Deadline

Feb. 1 – Feb. 28, 2014

Save $50 more on the

February BMTCN test only

November 13, 2013 November 13, 2013 (Early Bird Fee Applies)

May 1 – June 30, 2014 January 2, 2014

January 15, 2014

July 1 – Sept. 30, 2014 April 2, 2014 April 16, 2014

Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2014 July 2, 2014

July 16, 2014

• ONS Members save $120 on cost of exam

• Early Bird registration saves an additional $100

• Online application saves $25 over cost of paper application

Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation: 2013 Test Dates, Application Deadlines & Fees.

http://www.oncc.org/media/oncc/docs/certification/2013_test_dates_deadlines_fees.pdf , retrieved September 22, 2013.

Application for Testing

• Complete & return test application by deadline posted in ONCC Bulletin

– May apply online or via paper application (mail or fax)

– ONCC must receive application by deadline date

• Receive notification e-mail confirming receipt of application (letter if no valid e-mail address)

• Notification letter DOES NOT confirm you eligibility for exam

• If you do not receive notification within 4 weeks of submitting your application, notify ONCC



http://www.oncc.org/media/oncc/docs/certification/2013_test_dates_deadlines_fees.pdf

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Authorization to Test (ATT)

• Receive via e-mail (letter if no e-mail address) within 4-6 weeks of examination date

– Sent from Pearson VUE (test center)

– Subject line will read “ONCC Authorization to Test”

• Confirm the information on ATT is correct upon receipt

• Upon receipt of ATT

– Confirm information correct

– Read the entire ATT

– Contact ONCC (877-769-6222) if info incorrect or if do not receive at least 4 weeks before test

• Follow instructions on ATT to schedule exam



Scheduling Test

• ONCC exams administered by computer-

based testing at 230 Pearson Professional

Centers

• Able to choose test site & appointment date

(within ONCC test dates)

• Go to www.pearsonvue.com/oncc

– Click on “Locate a Test Center”



http://www.pearsonvue.com/oncc

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Preparing for Computer-Based

Testing Environment

• To preview the test center environment, go

to www.perasonvue.com/oncc and click on

“Take an online tour of a PPC”.

• To view the CBT tutorial, go to

www.pearsonvue.com/oncc and click on

“Pearson VUE Testing Tutorial”



2013 OCN Exam Format & Scoring

• 165 multiple-choice questions

– 145 questions count towards scoring of exam

– 20 questions are newly developed questions being pre-tested, do not count towards score

• 3 hours to complete test

– 10 minutes for tutorial

– 2 hrs 45 minutes for test

– 5 minutes for exit survey

• Score determined by number of questions you answer correctly

– No penalty for incorrect answers

– It is to your advantage to answer every question

Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation, 2012. 2013 Oncology Nursing Certification Test Bulletin, pages 4, 20. Oncology Nurse


http://www.perasonvue.com/oncc

http://www.pearsonvue.com/oncc

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Assess Your Learning Needs

• Review the appropriate test blueprint in the

Oncology Nursing Certification Test Bulletin

• Identify the content areas that will be on the

test.

• Pay attention to how each area is weighted to

determine the percentage of items that pertain

to each area.

• When reviewing the test blueprint, identify

which areas are your strengths and weaknesses.

Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation (2013). Study Tips. http://www.oncc.org/TakeTest/TestInformation/Candidate/StudyTips

retrieved September 22, 2013

2013 OCN Test Blueprint Content Areas

Content Area Percentage of 2013 Test # of Scored Questions*

Health Promotion, Screening &

Early Detection

6% 9

Scientific Basis for Practice 9% 13

Treatment Modalities 16% 23

Symptom Management 22% 32

Psychosocial Dimensions of Care 8% 12

Oncologic Emergencies 12% 17

Survivorship 8% 12

Palliative & End of Life Care 11% 16

Professional Performance 8% 12

*To determine the number of scored items from each subject area, multiple the percentage by 145.

Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation, 2012. 2013 Oncology Nursing Certification Test Bulletin, pages 5-6. Oncology Nurse


http://www.oncc.org/TakeTest/TestInformation/Candidate/StudyTips

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Preparing for the Exam:

Build a personal study plan

• Establish objectives based on your assessment

of your strengths & weaknesses

• Develop personal study plan

– Create a study schedule

– Choose your study materials

• Study partners, group study

• Review courses

• Inservices

• Practice tests

• Reference materials



Study Resources

• Refer to OCN® Test References published

in ONCC Test Bulletin

• List is not intended to be all-inclusive

• List of supplemental references is avaialbe

at www.oncc.org



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Practice Tests

• ONCC website: www.oncc.org

• Free practice tests

• Practice tests for purchase

Online Resources

• Oncology Nursing Society Website www.ons.org

– Online Courses

• OCN ® Review Course (intended to be 16 week course)

• Cancer Basics

• Cancer Biology

• Site Specific Cancer Series

– Live Chats

– Print-based materials

– ONS Podcasts

– Teleconferences

– Webcasts


http://www.ons.org/

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Local PSONS & ONS Programs

• PSONS Monthly Education Meetings

– 3rd Wednesday of each month in Seattle

• PSONS Fundamentals of Oncology Nursing Course

– Four day course, twice a year

– Next Course:

• March 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2014

• Valley Medical Center

• PSONS Annual Symposium

– February 21 & 22, 2014

– Lynnwood Convention Center, Lynnwood, WA

Preparing for the Exam:

Carry out your plan!

• Plot your study out on a calendar

• Allocate a reasonable amount of study time to

review content areas

• Include time to obtain review materials

• DO NOT leave all of your preparation for one

long study time the week or night before the test

• Use study methods that have worked for you in

the past




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Practice Tests

• Available online through ONCC

– Free test (50 questions)

– Four additional tests may be purchased

• Look for patterns in questions you answer

incorrectly

– If most incorrect responses are at beginning or end of

practice test, may be due to anxiety

– If missing particular content area, review that content

area

• Questions on practice tests not prepared by ONCC

may not represent the style of questions or content

that actually appear on the exam

Reduce Your Anxiety:

Prepare Checklist of Items You Need

• Authorization to Test (ATT)

• Two forms of ID

– One must include photo

– Both must have signature, be current, valid, or non-expired

– Name on both must match name on ATT • Middle name vs middle initial is acceptable

– See table in test bulleting for description of acceptable forms of ID

• Directions to facility

• Money for parking




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Arrive Early

• Arrive 30 minutes prior to appointment time

• May want to take a test drive to the testing

center a few days before

• Candidates who do not arrive within 15

minutes of scheduled appointment time

technically forfeit their test appointment

Security Process

• You will be asked to provide:

– Palm scan (palm vein image)

– Fingerprint

– Electronic signature

– Digital photo

• Palm scan or fingerprint when leave testing area

• Information is kept for up to 5 years

• Not linked to personal identifying information (address, credit card information, etc)

• Monitoring via both audio and video recording

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Be Comfortable on Test Day!!

• Relax & get a good night’s sleep instead of studying

• Eat breakfast (if you normally do)

• Dress comfortably and prepare for temperature fluctuations in room

• Make sure you have all items on your “checklist” before leaving the house

Computer Testing Procedures

• Administrator will log you into your assigned workstation

• Must remain in your seat during the exam

• No personal items, cell phones, pagers, watches, wallets, purses, etc. not allowed in testing room

– Will be provided with small locker for storage

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Computer Testing Procedures

• Erasable noteboard & marker provided by testing

center

– May not write on it until after exam started

• If need to leave test area during exam:

– Raise your hand to get administrators attention

– Time away is counted against your 3 hr timeframe (you

don’t get the time back)

– Fingerprinted or palm scanned when leaving &

returning

Post-Exam

• Will be asked to complete an onscreen evaluation

• After completing evaluation, raise hand

• Administrator will ensure the test has ended

properly

• Will receive an official score report!

• No personal items, cell phones, pagers, watches,

wallets, purses, etc. not allowed in testing room

– Will be provided with small locker for storage

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Take the Test With Confidence

• Your score is determined by number of

questions you answer correctly (no penalty

for wrong answers)

• All multiple-choice questions

Taking Multiple Choice Tests • Read directions carefully

• Read every question carefully, but quickly, answering only those of which you are 100% certain – Mark those which you are not sure

• Come back to the questions not yet answered – Answer those you are reasonably sure without

pondering too long

• Finally, study the remaining questions – If you can’t come to a decision or if you run out of

time, then guess

– Wrong answers don’t count against you (better to guess and not leave any blank)

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Taking Multiple Choice Tests

• Look for words such as:

– Most, first, initially, immediately, usually

• Look for absolutes such as :

– Always, never, every, none, all of the time

• Try turning multiple-choice into a “true”

and “false” statement

– Use process of elimination to select best answer



Read the Questions Systematically

• Read the question first and think of the

answer

• Do not assume information not given or go

beyond what the question asks.

• Then read all of the responses


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Taking Test With Confidence

• When weighing options, look for those that:

– Embody good nursing judgment

– Enhance communication, respect, & acceptance

of patient’s feelings

• Choose options that are:

– Correct in all respects

– Relate to common needs or to the population in

general

Pace Yourself During Test

• Don’t spend too much time on any one question

• Can mark question – to come back to it

• Avoid thinking about prior questions while you are on a new question

• After working through all the questions:

– Review for incomplete items

– Go back to those you marked for review

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Do Not Change Answers

Unless you have misread the question the

first time or recall new information, it is

unwise to change the answer you initially

choose

Relaxation Strategies

During the Examination

• Identify what part of your body has the

most muscle tightness

• Take a deep breath and select an exercise

that will help eliminate the tension

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Tutorial Prior to Starting Exam

• Series of screens that orient you to the computer

testing environment

• Allows you to practice using each feature prior to

starting the exam

• May use the tutorial for 10 minutes

• At end of tutorial, may repeat by clicking

“previous” button, or raise hand to request further

instruction from the test administrator

Scaled Scores

• Scaled score is a “raw” test score (the # of questions correct) transformed into other units of measurement using statistical formula

• A “scaled score” is not:

– # of questions answered correctly

– % of questions answered correctly

• There are multiple forms of the test – level of difficulty may vary slightly

– Scaling used to correct for differences in test difficulty

• Passing score for OCN exam has been set at scaled score of 55

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Score Reports

• Will receive an official pass/fail score report on

screen and in print at test center

• Candidates receiving scaled score of 55 or greater

will receive score report indicating “Pass” only

• Official score reports list the major subject area of

each test & the competency level achieved

– Level 1: Well below competence level

– Level 2: Below competence level

– Level 3: At competence level

– Level 4: Above competence level

Re-Energize After the Test!!

• Briefly review your performance during the

test to get a sense of accomplishment

• Avoid dwelling on questions and going the

test with colleagues

• Focus on positive outcomes

• Reward yourself for completing the ONCC

examination process

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OCN® Credential

• Candidates who pass the OCN ® test may

use certification mark “OCN ®”

• May be used only as long as certification is

valid

• Certification is valid for 4 years

Oncology Nurse Certification Corporation (2013). About ONCC. http://www.oncc.org/About , retrieved September 22, 2013

OCN® Renewal

Current through 2015 • Three components – two must be met

• #1: Practice hours

– Minimum one year (12 months) of experience as an RN

within 3 years (36 months) prior to application

– Minimum 1000 hrs of oncology nursing practice within

two-and-one-half years (30 months) prior to application

• #2: Professional development

– Known as “Oncology Nursing Certification Points

Renewal Option” (ONC-PRO)

– 100 ONC-PRO points required for OCN renewal

• #3: Successful retesting

http://www.oncc.org/About

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Renewal Process Starting in 2016:

Individual Learning Needs Assessment

• Individual Leaning Needs Assessment (ILNA)

will combine an assessment of your current

knowledge with completion of an

individualized learning plan

• Based on your identified learning needs you’ll

complete professional development activities

designed to strengthen your knowledge

• By completing these activities, you’ll earn

points you can use for certification renewal

INLA Renewal Method: Step 1

• Complete your learning needs assessment

– Assessment is based on the subjects on the current

certification blueprint

• Early in your certification cycle (usually in

January following your renewal) ONCC will

provide you with the log-in information to

complete the online learning needs assessment

• If it’s the first renewal period after passing a

test, you won’t need to complete the assessment

– You will use your test score report to identify your

learning plan

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• Review your assessment results

– Identify the subject areas and the number of

professional development points you’ll need to

renew your certification

• All candidates will be required to earn at least

25 points for renewal

– Most candidates are expected to need far fewer

points than were required for renewal in the past


• Earn INLA Points

– Begin earning points for renewal by completing the

professional development activities

– The earlier you complete the assessment, the more

time you’ll have to earn points (up to 4 years)

• INLA points can be earned through your choice of

– Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)

– Continuing Medical Education (CME)

– Academic Education

– Presentations

– Publications

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• Apply for renewal by submitting:

– Application

– Renewal fee

– Logs documenting completion of your learning

activities (your ILNA points)

• ONCC staff will compare the logs you submit to

your assessment results to verify you’ve

completed your learning plan

If you haven’t registered

for an exam…..

There’s no better time than now!

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Questions?

Documents

Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN ) Certificationpsons.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/OCN-Exam-Overview.pdfCredential Certification Title Type of Certification OCN ® Oncology Certified