Carma Herring, RN, MS, OCN John Stoddard Cancer Center

 Certification shows that you “know your stuff” because it validates your specialized knowledge and experience. It’s the tangible way to show you’re committed to providing high quality cancer care.  Certification can benefit you personally. It can increase your confidence, your career opportunities, and your personal satisfaction.

 First test given to 1,384 nurses in 1986 with a 86% pass rate  Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) now has 8 credentials  Have over 36,000 credentialed nurses world wide

 Requirements to qualify for testing  OCN Test Candidate Handbook  OCN Test Blueprint

 1. Calculator for eligibility  2. Review test content outline (blueprint)  3. Take a free practice test  4. Study  5. Gather all documents and APPLY!

 Current RN License  Minimum of 12 months experience as an RN within 3 years prior to application  Minimum of 1000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice with the 2.5 years prior to application  10 contact hours of CNE in oncology

 Based on actual oncology nurses practice ◦ Role Delineation Study  Divided into 9 categories of practice ◦ Percentages identify number of questions ◦ For example, 22% of questions will be on symptom management

 Testing is done via computer at a Prometric Test site ( West Des Moines, Coralville, Omaha, Sioux City, Bettendorf)  Test is three-hour, 165 multiple-choice item test based on the OCN ® Test Content Outline (Test Blueprint).  Testing is available from February 1 through December 31

 Initial OCN Test= $286  ILNA Renewal= $220

ILNA = Individualized Learning Needs Assessment

INDIVIDUAL Requirements for recertification are individualized LEARNING NEEDS Based on learning needs related to current knowledge ASSESSMENT Identified through the certification examination or the assessment

Pass Certification Examination Review Identified Learning Needs Earn Targeted Professional Development Track through Individual LearningBuilder Plan First Renewal Cycle

Renew Certification Take Online Assessment Review Identified Learning Needs Earn Targeted Professional Development Track through Individual LearningBuilder Plan Ongoing Renewal Cycles

Renews using ONCPRO 2015 Due to renew in 2019 Takes the assessment after renewal complete and before 12/31/18 Earns points after assessment taken, based on results Documents points in Learningbuilder Submits recertification through Learningbuilder between 1/1/19 and 12/31/19 An Example

Process of Taking the Assessment Nurse recertifies Access to the assessment via from AMP Must have updated browser versions Nurse logs in to take the assessment from personal computer (2 hours) Nurse receives immediate results which direct professional development

What is the Assessment Like? Survey Self assessment Rate knowledge based on test blueprints Tutorial Practice using features of the assessment Mark for review Return to items Assessment items Based on test blueprints 100 items Multiple choice Matching-drag and drop Multiple correct response

Assessments are Secure and Protected Secure login provided by AMP Only those with login can access the assessment Must be taken independently- no collaboration permitted Non-disclosure agreement required Timed Must be completed within two hours No exit or re-entry Intellectual Property of ONCC Printing, copying are disabled Sharing of information in any format (including verbal) is strictly prohibited Irregularities are investigated and action may be taken

ILNA Results No pass/fail-ILNA is not a test Results based on the major content areas of the test blueprint Benchmarks for each content area Meet benchmark = NO POINTS REQUIRED Do not meet benchmark = POINTS REQUIRED

How to Use Results REVIEW RESULTS Required points are based on benchmark in each content area May access results anytime with secure login information TEST BLUEPRINTS Review for content areas and sub-content areas ATTAIN POINTS ONCC website includes suggested offerings based on blueprint content areas

REVIEW RESULTS

Major Content Categories of the OCN® Blueprint Content AreaWeight Health Promotion, Screening and Early Detection6 % Scientific Basis for Practice9 % Treatment Modalities16 % Symptom Management22 % Psychosocial Dimensions of Care8 % Oncologic Emergencies12 % Survivorship8 % Palliative and End of Life Care11 % Professional Performance8 % TOTAL100 % TOTAL POINTS NEEDED FOR THIS NURSE33

II. Scientific Basis for Practice – 9% A. Carcinogenesis B. Immunology C. Genetic risk factors D. Research protocols E. Clinical trials F. Regarding specific cancer types: 1. pathophysiology 2. common metastatic sites 3. diagnostic measures 4. prognosis 5. classification 6. staging 7. histologic grading TEST BLUEPRINT

OK fine….I understand that I need professional development in specific areas… But, how do I go about finding CNE in that category?

ONCC Website

Encourages Nurses to “map” Their Own CNE Look at the number of contact hours, objectives and the content Make a judgement about the “fit” within the content categories Divide the content among the categories – Total is 8 hours, 4 objectives = 2 points per objective

ILNA Results Maximum possible points required = 100Minimum required = 25 Those who need fewer than 25, based on assessment results, may earn the additional points in any blueprint content category they choose

ILNA Results Minimum of 25 Required

Five Ways to Earn Points Continuing Nursing Education Continuing Medical Education Academic Education Professional Publications Professional Presentations

Individualized for each certified nurse Tracks points and progress Submit to ONCC when due Results of exam or assessment imported Points entered as earned Shows progress toward meeting requirements Paperless submission Required documents can be uploaded A New Way to Track and Submit Points for Recertification: LEARNINGBUILDER

LEARNINGBUILDER Imports assessment results to individual plan Provides access to plan 1.ONCC Attains professional development Enters points into plan-uploads documents Submits plan between January 1 and September 15 of year of certification expiration 2.Nurse Reviews completed plan Approves certification renewal 3.ONCC

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Important Things to Know ILNA replaces ONCPRO as an option (except AOCN®/ CPON®) Any recertification due in 2016 and thereafter Retaking and passing the certification examination will remain an option Those who do not take the assessment or retake the certification examination will need to earn 100 points in proportion to the test blueprint

More- Important Things to Know Must take the assessment prior to earning points No exceptions No fee The security of the assessment is protected Must take alone- no sharing/collaborating Two hours of uninterrupted time is required Assessment is timed and must be completed within two hours-when time is up the results will be final

Remember: The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. Alan Watts, Modern Philosopher

Finally, focus on what is important in life