“These six oncology certified nurses have met or exceeded requirements for practice in cancer care,” said Cindy Yeargin, RN, BSN, director of Oncology Services at Cleveland Regional. “This is a great accomplishment. It shows our nurses are committed to caring for people with cancer and have made an extra effort to prove their knowledge.”

The three nurses earning OCN certification in 2008 are Toni Corrigan, RN, BSN, OCN; Lori Scism, RN, BSN, OCN and Betsy Tessneer, RN, OCN. Three others have previously achieved the OCN certification: Dottie Parker, RN, OCN, Rita Wortman, RN, MSN, OCN and Nanci Stott, APRN, AOCNP (Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner).

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) programs are rigorous and meet nationally recognized standards. Regardless of the healthcare setting, certification benefits patients and their families, nurses and employers. Oncology nursing certification validates that nurses have met stringent requirements for knowledge and experience and are qualified to provide competent oncology care.

“All nurses who provide care to their patients with cancer should seek to become certified by the ONCC,” Yeargin said. “These nurses have the knowledge required to provide excellent care to patients experiencing the complex problems associated with a diagnosis of cancer throughout the disease continuum.”

Attaining certification requires time and effort on the part of the individual nurse. Before they can take the test, these nurses must have experience as cancer nurses. And, they must have taken educational programs where they learned more about cancer care. Maintaining that certification demonstrates an ongoing commitment to professional development and patient care.

Certification can and should strengthen a patients’ confidence in their caregivers and offer peace of mind at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable and uncertain. To patients with cancer, certification means the nurse is not only a caregiver, but also a qualified caregiver.