OCN Review 2018 Wrap up and Information on Testing Nicole Messier, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN CG Objectives Describe the importance of certification Demonstrate knowledge/understanding of content areas of the OCN test blueprint List resources to aid in preparation for the OCN exam 1
What is Certification? The formal recognition of specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in nursing Demonstrated by achieving standards identified by a nursing specialty to promote health outcomes Certification assures the public a nurse has completed all eligibility criteria to earn a specific credential Promotes the development of specialty nursing by establishing minimum competency standards and recognizing those who have met the standards What is Certification? Certification is the formal process by which a certifying agency validates a nurse s knowledge, skills, and abilities in a defined role and clinical area of practice, based on predetermined standards. Nurses achieve certification credentials through specialized education, experience in a specialty area, and a qualifying exam. Official recognition of achievement, expertise, and clinical judgement. Mark of Excellence that requires continued learning and skill development to maintain 2
Why Certify? Credentialing advances the profession of nursing by both encouraging and recognizing professional achievement Protects the public Identifies individuals with certain knowledge and skills Assures consumers that professionals have met standards of practice Demonstrates an individual s commitment to a profession and to lifelong learning Provides a sense of pride and professional accomplishment Why You Should Be Certified! Certification in oncology nursing can: Validate your specialized knowledge Increase your confidence in your abilities Contribute to your personal satisfaction Demonstrate your commitment to your specialty and your patients 3
Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation 125 Enterprise Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15275 877-769-ONCC 412-859-6104 412-859-6168 (fax) E-mail: oncc@oncc.org Web site: www.oncc.org Read the OCN Test Bulletin ONCC s testing agency is Pearson VUE www.pearsonvue.com Type of Oncology Certification Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Test dates: No Deadline dates-submit an application, fees, and all required documentation, and receive your Authorization to Test within four weeks if you are eligible. A 90-day period will be provided for you to schedule an appointment and take the test. 4
. Test Dates, Application Deadlines and Fees Testing in the US/Canada February1 December 30, 2018 *Candidates who apply after September 1, 2018 will be assigned a 90 day testing period before the end of 2018. Nurses who wish to take the test before the end of 2018 should plan accordingly. Nurses who apply after September 1 may have a 90 day eligibility period that extends into 2019. ONS/APHON Member $296 Nonmember $416 ONS/APHON Member: Age 65+ $225 Nonmember: Age 65+ $315 OCN Test consists of 165 multiple-choice items. Of those, 145 items count toward the candidate s score and 20 are "pretest" or experimental items Candidates will have a three hour testing session, which includes 10 minutes for a computer-based testing tutorial and 5 minutes for an exit survey Please note that only generic drug names are used on ONCC tests 5
Overview of OCN Exam ONCC examinations are administered by computer-based testing at nearly 300 Pearson Professional Centers Eligibility A current, active, unrestricted RN license at the time of application and examination A minimum of one year (12 months) of experience as an RN within the three years (36 months) prior to the application deadline date A minimum of 1,000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice within the two-and-one-half years (30 months) prior to the application deadline date 6
Eligibility Completed a minimum of 10 contact hours of continuing nursing education or an academic elective in oncology nursing within the three years (36 months) prior to the application deadline date The contact hours must have been provided or formally approved by an accredited provider or approver of continuing nursing education Up to five (50%) of the 10 required contact hours may be accredited CME in oncology. OCN Test Content Outline I. Care Continuum 19% A. Health promotion and disease prevention (e.g., high risk behaviors; preventive health practices) B. Screening and early detection C. Navigation D. Advance care planning (e.g., advance directives) E. Epidemiology 1. Modifiable risk factors (e.g., smoking, diet, exercise, occupation) 2. Non modifiable risk factors (e.g., age, gender, genetics) 7
OCN Test Content Outline I. Care Continuum 19% F. Survivorship 1. Rehabilitation 2. Recurrence concerns 3. Financial concerns 4. Employment concerns 5. Insurance concerns 6. Family and social support concerns 7. Sexuality concerns OCN Test Content Outline I. Care Continuum 19% G. Treatment related considerations 1. Delayed onset side effects 2. Chronic side effects 3. Secondary malignancies 4. Follow up care 8
OCN Test Content Outline I. Care Continuum 19% H. End of life care 1. Grief 2. Bereavement 3. Hospice care 4. Caregiver support 5. Interdisciplinary team 6. Pharmacologic comfort measures 7. Non pharmacologic comfort measures II. Oncology Nursing Practice 17% A. Scientific basis 1. Carcinogenesis 2. Immunology 3. Clinical trials (e.g., research protocols) B. Site specific cancer considerations 1. Pathophysiology 2. Common metastatic locations 3. Diagnostic measures 4. Prognosis 5. Classification 6. Staging 7. Histological grading 9
II. Oncology Nursing Practice 17% C. Scope, standards, and related issues 1. Standards of care (nursing process) 2. Legal (including documentation) 3. Accreditation (e.g., The Joint Commission) 4. Self care (e.g., managing compassion fatigue) II. Oncology Nursing Practice 17% D. Standards of professional performance 1. Ethics (e.g., patient advocacy) 2. Education 3. Evidence based practice (e.g., Putting Evidence Into Practice (PEP) guidelines) and research 4. Quality of practice 5. Communication 6. Leadership 7. Collaboration 8. Professional practice evaluation 9. Resource utilization 10. Environmental health (e.g., safety, personal protective equipment, safe handling) 10
III. Treatment Modalities 19% A. Surgery B. Blood and marrow transplant C. Radiation therapy D. Chemotherapy E. Biotherapy F. Immunotherapy G. Vascular Access Devices (VADs) for treatment administration H. Targeted Therapy IV. Symptom Management and Palliative Care 23% A. Etiology and patterns of symptoms (acute, chronic, late) B. Anatomical and surgical alterations (e.g., lymphedema, ostomy, site specific radiation) C. Pharmacologic interventions D. Complementary and integrative modalities (e.g., massage, acupuncture, herbal supplements) E. Palliative care considerations 11
IV. Symptom Management and Palliative Care 23% F. Alterations in functioning: 1. Hematologic 2. Immune system 3. Gastrointestinal 4. Genitourinary 5. Integumentary 6. Respiratory 7. Cardiovascular 8. Neurological 9. Musculoskeletal 10. Nutrition 11. Cognition 12. Energy level (i.e., fatigue) V. Oncologic Emergencies 12% A. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) B. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) C. Sepsis (including septic shock) D. Tumor lysis syndrome E. Hypersensitivity F. Anaphylaxis G. Hypercalcemia H. Cardiac tamponade I. Spinal cord compression J. Superior vena cava syndrome K. Increased intracranial pressure L. Obstructions (bowel and urinary) M. Pneumonitis N. Extravasations 12
Vl. Psychosocial Dimensions of Care 10% A. Cultural, spiritual, and religious diversity B. Financial concerns (including available resources) C. Altered body image D. Learning styles and barriers to learning E. Social relationships and family dynamics F. Coping mechanisms and skills G. Support 1. Patient (i.e., individual and group) 2. Caregiver (including family) Vl. Psychosocial Dimensions of Care 10% H. Psychosocial considerations 1. Anxiety 2. Loss and grief 3. Depression 4. Loss of personal control I. Sexuality 1. Reproductive issues (e.g., contraception and fertility) 2. Sexual dysfunction (physical and psychological (effects) 3. Intimacy 13
Develop a study plan Topics, timeline, resources Recognize your learning style Schedule regular times to study- 1 hour increments Cramming is counterproductive Focus on general material most of the material is basic and does not require constant updating It can take up to 6-12 months for new information to be incorporated into test questions ONCC Practice Tests ONCC web-based Practice Tests simulate the testing experience and help you to become familiar with the types of items found on ONCC examinations. They may also help candidates assess their strengths and weaknesses in subject areas covered on the examinations. Each Practice Test includes a set of 50 items or questions. The same 50 items will appear each time a test is used, although they may be presented in a different order. You may take the Practice Test as often as you wish during the allotted time period. This tests must be completed online, there are no paper tests. 14
ONCC Practice Tests Free Practice Tests: There are 50 items on each test. You may use these tests as often as you like. These tests must be completed online. Like all ONCC Practice Tests, the items on the free Practice Test do not change each time it is used. Purchase Practice Tests: Additional 50-item Practice Tests can be purchased. These tests must be completed online. There are no hard-copy tests. Purchasers will have access to purchased tests for 14 days, and may take the test as often as desired during the 14-day period. The same 50 items will appear on the test each time it is used. https://practicetests.oncc.org/freetests.aspx Test-Taking Strategies Practice, Practice, Practice Take practice tests- timed at two minutes for each question- goal 9 of 10 answers correct Then timed at 1.5 minutes for each question- goal of 9 of 10 answers correct Then timed at 1 minutes for each question- goal of 9 of 10 answers correct 15
Test-Taking Strategies Using practice tests in a timed environment helps reduce anxiety when it s time for the real thing Helps facilitate working at a steady pace Test-Taking Strategies The night before the exam Know test site location, make a dry run Get a good night s sleep Eat sensibly- avoid alcohol Assemble required materials: ID, admission card Know the exam room rules: no water or food, no phones TIME TO PUT THE BOOKS AWAY 16
Test-Taking Strategies The day of the exam Wear comfortable, layered clothing Eat breakfast, avoid too much caffeine Get there early Wear a watch, keep track of time No cell phones! Think positively BREATHE OCN Review Resources 17
Primary References American Cancer Society. (2014). Cancer facts and figures 2014. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@research/documents/webcontent/acspc-042151.pdf Brown, C.G. (Ed.). (2010). A guide to oncology symptom management. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Burke, C.C. (Ed.). (2009). Psychosocial dimensions of oncology nursing care (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2010). Cancer basics. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Ferrell, B.R., & Coyle, N. (Eds.). (2010). Oxford textbook of palliative nursing (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Iwamoto, R.R., Haas, M.L., & Gosselin, T.K. (Eds.). (2012). Manual for radiation oncology nursing practice and education (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Newton, S., Hickey, M., & Marrs, J. (2009). Mosby s oncology nursing advisor: A comprehensive guide to clinical practice (2nd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Vallerand, A.H., & Sanoski, C.A. (2014). Davis s drug guide for nurses (14th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis. Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2011). Cancer nursing: Principles and practice (7th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Supplemental Resources Almadrones-Cassidy, L. (Ed.). (2010). Site-specific cancer series: Gynecologic cancers. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. American Cancer Society. (2012). Cancer facts and figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2012 2014. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-034778.pdf American Cancer Society. (2013). Cancer facts and figures for African Americans 2013-2014. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036921.pdf American Cancer Society. (2013). Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Facts & Figures (2014-2015). Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@research/documents/document/acspc-042801.pdf Bastable, S.B. (Ed.). (2013). Nurse as educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Brant, J.M., & Wickham, R.S. (Eds.). (2013). Statement on the scope and standards of oncology nursing practice: Generalist and advanced practice. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Camp-Sorrell, D. (Ed.). (2011). Access device guidelines: Recommendations for nursing practice and education (3rd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Eaton, L.H., & Tipton, J.M. (Eds.). (2009). Putting evidence into practice: Improving oncology patient outcomes. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Eaton, L.H., Tipton, J.M., & Irwin, M. (Eds.). (2011). Putting evidence into practice: Improving oncology patient outcomes, volume 2. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. 18
Supplemental Resources Esper, P., & Kuebler, K.K. (Eds.). (2008). Palliative practices from A Z for the bedside clinician (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Ezzone, S. (Ed.). (2013). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A manual for nursing practice. (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Gullatte, M.M. (Ed.). (2011). Nursing management: Principles and practice (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Ignatavicius, D.D., & Workman, M.L. (Eds.). (2013). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered collaborative care (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders. Jacobs, L.A. (Ed.). (2003). Standards of oncology nursing education: Generalist and advanced practice levels (3rd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Mahon, S.M. (Ed.). (2011). Site-specific cancer series: Breast cancer (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society. Oncology Nursing Society. (n.d.). Oncology Nursing Society positions. Retrieved from http://www.ons.org/publications/positions 19