Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Review Course

The OCN^® credential signifies that a registered nurse has specialized knowledge, experience, and skills in oncology nursing. To become an OCN^®, the nurse must pass the OCN^® examination. However, many nurses find it difficult to pass.

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) offers an on-line OCN^® review course throughout the year but, many nurses prefer to interact with an instructor and review the material in a group setting to gain from the knowledge and experience of others. In addition to the ONS course, this BATI OCN^®Review Course will provide the attendee with review of the OCN^® Test Blueprint and content, suggestions on ways to minimize test anxiety, guidance and help in analyzing questions and answers, and practice questions with discussion of the rationale for the correct answer.

Please note: attendees should already be prepared with oncology nursing knowledge as the purpose of the course is not to teach content material. We will be reviewing practice questions following the OCN^® test blueprint.

Suggested practice test study materials: 

• Oncology Nursing Review, Fifth Edition (2012), by Connie Henke Yarbro
• OCN^® Exam Secrets Study Guide: OCN^® Test Review for the ONCC Oncology Certified Nurse Exam (2013) (Paperback) by OCN^® Exam Secrets Test Prep Team (Author)
• Study Guide for the Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing, ed 4 (2005)

OCN^® Test references suggested for use:

• American Cancer Society (2014).  Cancer facts and figures 2014.
• Eggert, J. (Ed.) (2010) Cancer Basics.  Pittsburg, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.
• Polovich, M., Whitford, J.M., & Olsen, M (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburg, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.
  

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this four day course, the participant will be able to:

1. Identify 2 strategies for selecting the best answer in a multiple choice exam question.
2. Demonstrate two strategies for reducing test anxiety and 2 stress reduction techniques.
3. List 2 major cancers and 1 treatment option for each.
4. Verbalize 2 common symptoms experienced by cancer patients and the nursing interventions for each.
5. List 3 potential oncologic emergencies cancer patients might experience and the nursing interventions for each.

Agendas

For the course by date:

• June 7
• Health Promotion
• Disease Prevention, Screening, Early Detection and Diagnosis
• Scientific Basis for Practice
• Carcinogenesis
• Immunology
• Genetic Risk Factors
• Research Protocols
• Clinical Trials  
• Breast
• Lung
• GI – Esophageal, Gastric, Pancreatic                                              
• Hematologic Malignancies –
• Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma
• Endometrial, Ovarian, Testicular
• Urinary System          
• Prostate, Kidney, Bladder
• Skin
• Head and Neck
• June 14
• Cancer Treatment Modalities
• Surgery                                                                                                          
• Blood and Marrow Transplant
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted Therapy
• Biotherapy
• Symptom Management                                                 
• Etiology and Patterns             
• Toxicity and Grading Scales
• Anatomic and Surgical Alterations
• Pharmacologic Interventions
• Complementary and Integrative Modalities
• Alterations In
• Hematologic Function 
• Immune Function
• GI Function
• Integumentary Function
• Respiratory Function
• Cardiovascular Function
• Neurologic Function
• Musculoskeletal Function
• Nutrition Status
• Comfort (e.g. pain)
• June 21
• Psychosocial Dimensions of Care                                         
• Cultural, Spiritual and Religious Diversity
• Financial Concerns, including Available Resources
• Altered Body Image
• Support Groups
• Learning Styles and Barriers to Learning
• Coping Mechanisms and Skills
• Psychological Disturbances and Alterations
• Anxiety
• Loss and Grief
• Depression
• Loss of Personal Control
• Sexuality                                                                    
• Reproductive Issues              
• Contraception and Fertility
• STD and HIV Risk
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Physical and Psychosocial Effects
• Intimacy
• Oncologic Emergencies         
• DIC                                                                  
• TTP
• SIADH             
• SIRS   
• Sepsis
• Septic Shock
• TLS
• Hypersensitivity
• Anaphylaxis
• Hypercalcemia
• Cardiac Tamponade
• Spinal Cord Compression
• Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
• Increased Intracranial Pressure
• Obstructions
• Bowel
• Urinary
• Pneumonitis
• Extravasation
• June 28
• Survivorship                                                                                                   
• Early and Late Effects
• Psychosocial
• Cognitive
• Physical
• Recurrence and/or Secondary Malignancies
• Rehabilitation
• Long-term Follow Up
• Concerns
• Financial
• Employment
• Insurance
• Discrimination
• Family and Social Support
• Sexuality
• Palliative and End of Life Care
• Palliative Care
• Hospice Care
• Grief
• Bereavement
• Community Resources
• Reimbursement (e.g., Medicare Hospice Benefit)
• Caregiver Support
• Interdisciplinary Team
• Comfort Measures
• Pharmacologic
• Non-pharmacologic
• Professional Performance
• Local, State and National Resources  
• Scope and Standards of Oncology Nursing Practice
• Evidence Based Practice
• Education Process (teaching and learning principals)
• Legal Issues (including documentation)
• Ethical Issues 
• Patient Advocacy
• Navigation Throughout the Cancer Continuum
• Quality Improvement
• Professional Development
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration
• Accreditation standards (e.g., The Joint Commission)
• Test Taking Strategies (including test anxiety)

Faculty

Patricia Calloway, RN, BSN
Maria Cho, RN, PhD
Nicole Gee, RN
Bev Hart-Inkster, RN, BSN, OCN^®
Nancee Hirano, RN, MS, ANP, AOCN^®
Ann Nguyen, RN, OCN^®
Angeles Price, RN, MS, AOCN^®
Elaine Shingleton, RN, MSN, PHN