The Value of Oncology Nursing Certification

Abstract

The attainment of oncology nursing certification indicates that a nurse has the knowledge and expertise to competently care for patients with an actual or potential diagnosis of cancer. Research regarding the value nurses associate with certification is lacking; therefore, the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation participated in a national study led by the American Board of Nursing Specialties Research Committee to explore the value of certification in a sample of certified and noncertified nurses and nurse managers. A total of 940 oncology nurses participated and completed a demographic survey and the Perceived Value of Certification Tool. Most were Caucasian women, with a mean age of 54 years; 36% were staff nurses, 19% were nurse managers, and 10% were advanced practice nurses. A high value of certification was reported. Barriers to certification included cost issues and lack of institutional reward and support. Benefits included institutional reimbursement and listing certification credentials on name badges or business cards. Both certified and noncertified nurses value certification. Increasing institutional recognition and financial support could improve nurse certification rates and ultimately may result in improved patient care.

Distress and Coping Self-Efficacy in Inpatient Oncology Nurses

“…Oncologycertified respondents reported lower distress levels. This may be because those who pursue certification are decidedly satisfied in their specialty (Brown, Murphy, Norton, Baldwin, & Ponto, 2010).…”

Increasing Certification Through Unit-Based Education

“…Benefits to patients and the public potentially include increased patient safety, improved patient outcomes, and promotion of excellence in nursing care (Brown et al, 2010;Coleman et al, 2010;Watts, 2010). Certification validates that the nurse has and can apply scholarly knowledge to clinical practice (Kendall-Gallagher et al, 2011;Niebuhr & Biel, 2007).…”

“…Employers can market that they have a pool of certified nurses (ONCC, 2013;Wade, 2009). Including certification as part of a career ladder with potential career advancement also has been associated with increased numbers of nurses being motivated to obtain or retain certification (Brown et al, 2010). Including certification as part of a career ladder with potential career advancement also has been associated with increased numbers of nurses being motivated to obtain or retain certification (Brown et al, 2010).…”

“…Institutions and nursing leaders are constantly challenged to recruit and retain competent nurses with subspecialty knowledge and skills. To be effective, however, certification must be beneficial to all of the stakeholders, including patients, employers, and professional nurses (Brown, Murphy, Norton, Baldwin, & Ponto, 2010). Specialty certification at the basic practice level of nursing is a voluntary strategy for validating clinical expertise (Kendall-Gallagher, Aiken, Sloane, & Cimiotti, 2011).…”

Examining Certification Values of Certified Employees in Indonesia’s Tourism Industry

“…Instead of the importance of certification, several barriers also can occur to achieve the goal of professional certification. In [18] claimed that obstacles of the implementation of certification including cost issues and shortage of institutional reward and support, lack of experience and lack of personal time. However, their study shows there was a high value of certification.…”