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ONCC News, Volume XX, No. 3, Fall 2006Meet the Candidates for ONCC Board of DirectorsVoting has begun for two positions on theONCC Board of Directors. If you haven’tcast your vote, learn about the candidateson the ballot. Three nurses have been slatedfor a position to be filled by an OCN , andtwo nurses have been slated for the positionopen to an AOCN , AOCNP, or AOCNScertified nurse. Meet the candidates.Director—OCN certified nurseInga Aksamit, RN, MBA, OCN , vicepresident of clinical services, NationalOncology Alliance, San Rafael, CALeadership experience: Oncology Nursing Society, Bone Marrow Transplantation SIG, newsletter editor, 1997–1999 National Oncology Alliance, AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncology HighlightsProgram, program leader, 2006 National Oncology Alliance, EducateStudy, item writer, 2005–2006 Amgen Inc., Journal Club, leader, 2003–2005 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, International Bone Marrow Transplantation Program Planning Committee, member, 1992–1993Mary Blaney, RN, OCN , director of operations, Curtis and Elizabeth AndersonCancer Center, Savannah, GALeadership experience: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, advocates program, 2002–2006 Oncology Nursing Society, SoutheastGeorgia Chapter, president, 1999 Oncology Nursing Society, SoutheastGeorgia Chapter, Nominating Committee, chair, 2000–2002 Memorial Health University MedicalCenter, Nursing Vision Committee, member, 2004 Memorial Health University MedicalCenter, Shared Governance Development Committee, co-chair, 2005–2006Julie Earle, RN, OCN , radiation oncology nursing supervisor, Mayo Clinic,Rochester, MNLeadership experience: Oncology Nursing Society, SoutheastMinnesota Chapter, president/presidentelect/treasurer, 1998–2002 Oncology Nursing Society, SoutheastMinnesota Chapter, Nominating Committee, chair, 2002–2005 Oncology Nursing Society, SoutheastMinnesota Chapter, Membership Committee, chair, 1997–2001 Mayo Clinic Cancer Conference and Review Course Planning Committee, member, 2002–2006 Mayo Clinic Cancer Conference Oncology Review Course, presenter, 2005Director—AOCN , AOCNP,or AOCNS certified nurseBarbara Barnes Rogers, CRNP, MN,AOCN , adult hematology-oncology nursepractitioner, Fox Chase Cancer Center,Philadelphia, PALeadership experience: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, Advanced Practice Test Development Committee, chair, 2004–2006,member, 2002–2007 Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, item writer, 2002 Oncology Nursing Society, Board of Directors, member, 1999–2002 Oncology Nursing Society, NominatingCommittee, chair, 1995–1996, member,1995–1998 Oncology Nursing Society, AdvancedPractice Nurse Retreat Project Team,member, 2000Carol Brueggen, MS, APRN, BC,AOCNS, oncology clinical nurse specialist, St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN;assistant professor of nursing, MayoClinic College of MedicineLeadership experience: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, Recognition Subcommittee,member, 2006 Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, Advanced Oncology CertifiedNurse of the Year, 2006 Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, advocates program, 2006 Mayo Clinic, Cancer Conference andOncology Review Course PlanningCommittee, member 2003, 2005–2007 Oncology Nursing Society, SoutheastMinnesota Chapter, president, 2005 and2000All voting will be completed online.Survey and Ballot Systems, an independent election administrator, sent an e-mailto certified nurses with a link to the onlineballot. Certified nurses without e-mail addresses in the ONCC database were maileda letter with instructions on how to access aballot from any computer with Internet access. All ballots must be cast by 11:59 pmCST on December 15, 2006.Donation(Continued from page 1) 10,000, specifically to benefit oncologycertified nurses!A portion of the donation has been usedto fund an on-site oncology nursing certifica-tion review course for more than 20 oncologynurses, and the facility plans to repeat the review course for additional nurses in the nearfuture. A special thank-you to the patient,who recognized that certification makes a dif-3ference. Hats off to Kaplan for stepping forward and gently suggesting that contributingto the professional development of certifiedoncology nurses is a great way to express appreciation for the care they provide.

ONCC News, Volume XX, No. 3, Fall 2006AdvancedTesting NowMore ConvenientMichael Smart, RN, BSN, OCN Responding to the needs of nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, ONCChas changed the test administration processfor AOCNP and AOCNS candidates. Starting in 2007, applicants for the AOCNS andAOCNP tests will have the flexibility ofyear-round testing at computer-based testing facilities throughout North America.Previously, the tests were offered in 12-daywindows on a quarterly basis.The change results from feedback fromnurses in states that require advanced practice certification prior to granting advancedpractice nurse status and from nurses seeking employment as advanced practice nurses with employers that require certification.Although the fact that certification is required is commendable, timing is difficult.Previously, when tests were offered fourtimes per year, several months could passbetween the time a candidate became eligible to apply for a test and the next availabletesting opportunity. That was problematicfor nurses working in states or for employers requiring advanced certification.An application to take an AOCNP orAOCNS test may be submitted to ONCC assoon as a candidate has met all of the eligibility criteria for the test. If confirmed by ONCCas eligible to test, the applicant will receivean authorization to test within four weeks.The authorization will open a 90-day periodof time during which the advanced practicenurse may take a test. Of note, a test may notbe taken later than the 90-day period, nor canthe 90-day period be changed to a later time.If a nurse is unable to take the test during thespecified time and wants to take the test at alater time, he or she will have to submit another application and test fee.ONCC is not incurring additional expenses related to the change at this time;therefore, the cost to applicants will notincrease. For more information about theAOCNP and AOCNS tests, visit the ONCCWeb site at html.Item Writing 101: Is This theVolunteer Opportunity for You?Janice Nuuhiwa, RN, MSN, CPON As an oncology certified nurse, youmay have contemplated the process behind developing a certification examination or wondered about who writes thetest items. The ONCC Test DevelopmentCommittees are responsible for developing the examinations, and they fulfilltheir role in part by mentoring a group ofvolunteers known as item writers.ONCC places calls at various timesfor certified nurses who are interested inwriting test items for specific certification tests. Selected nurses attend an ItemWriting Workshop in Pittsburgh, PA,where they are introduced to the processof creating test items. Members of theAdvanced Practice Test DevelopmentCommittee, the OCN Test DevelopmentCommittee, and the CPON Test Development Committee serve as mentors fortheir respective item writers. During theworkshop, attendees review each step inthe process of creating a certification examination, a process that begins with theresults of a role delineation study.A role delineation study identifiesthe knowledge necessary for competentperformance and paves the way for constructing an outline of the subject areasthat must be included on a certificationtest. The outline, known as a test blueprint, is used to guide the developmentof test items. Specific topic areas from atest blueprint are assigned to each itemwriter, and the mentors lead the noviceitem writers through the process of creating appropriate multiple-choice testitems by combing through the oncologyreferences used by ONCC. During theworkshop, attendees learn how to writeitems that measure knowledge and itsapplication, how to use appropriate terminology, and how to follow ONCC sensitivity guidelines.What do participants have to say abouttheir experiences with item writing? Thelma Baker, RN, BSN, OCN , said, “I want-4“Certified nurses committime and effort to makethe tests a true markerof knowledge andcommitment to a professionthat is truly great.”—Thelma Baker,RN, BSN, OCN ed to become involved with ONCC, and Ienjoy writing and reading.” She stressednursing professionalism in specialty areasas a motivating factor for participating.“To continue to grow as a professional,”she said, “I realized that I needed to makethe time and to become involved. I feltthat this would be a great starting point tobe part of the oncology team.”Michael Smart, RN, BSN, OCN , anONCC News Editorial Board member,also served as an item writer for theOCN test. Smart was slightly uncertainwhen he first applied in May 2006. “I applied, but I really didn’t think I was goingto be selected,” he said. Fifteen OCN s,including Smart, were selected to writetest items. The most memorable part ofthe item-writing process? “I was very impressed by the rigorous process all itemsgo through to become accepted items onthe exam. . . . Reminds me a little bit ofthe School House Rock song ‘I Am aBill.’” Smart was surprised at how difficult some of the items were to write.Baker added, “A lot of time, thought,planning, and detail go into the makingof an oncology certification test. Certified nurses commit time and effort tomake the tests a true marker of knowledge and commitment to a professionthat is truly great.”Could item writing be a volunteer opportunity for you? Watch ONCC News forcalls for test item writers in 2007.

ONCC News, Volume XX, No. 3, Fall 2006Employer SpotlightEmployers Large and Small Support CertificationMark Flitcraft, RN, BSN, OCN Employers large and small are provingthat size doesn’t matter when encouraging certification of oncology nurses. Twoorganizations, one a major cancer centerand one a physician-owned practice, havemade the commitment to recognize the roleof oncology certified nurses in providingcancer care.Ohio State UniversityJames Cancer Hospitaland Solove Research InstituteOncology nursing thrives at the OhioState University James Cancer Hospitaland Solove Research Institute. U.S. Newsand World Report ranked the James CancerHospital, “the James,” in the top 25 cancerprograms in the United States.The James is the only freestanding oncology research and treatment center inthe United States and is designated as acomprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. Additionally, theJames Cancer Hospital practices a sharedgovernance model of nursing leadershipand is in the process of seeking MagnetRecognition Program status from theAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center(ANCC).In such an environment, oncology nursing is expected to lead in the nursingfield.Jean Just, RN, BC, MSN, director, andGail Havener, RN, MS, AOCN , staff development specialist in the Department ofNursing, Staff Development, and PatientEducation, related some of the many waysthat the employer encourages oncologynursing certification. A comprehensive, hospital-based, 11week review course designed to meet basic oncology certification review criteria,beginning in 2007 National specialty certification differential (3.5% of base salary) Clinical ladder voluntary opportunity forself-promotion at level III (4% base salary increase) and level IV (6% base salary increase)In 2007, the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute will providenurses with a comprehensive, hospital-based, 11-week review course for basic oncology nursingcertification. Some of the employer’s proud certified nurses are pictured here. Oncology certification counts as a component of self-advancement as part ofthe clinical ladder.The hospital has a goal of increasing itsnumber of oncology certified nurses and isinterested in developing ways to celebratecertified nurses and recognize their value.During Nurses Week, targeted activitiesrecognize all nurses, with special recognition of certified nurses.Meridian Oncology AssociatesSybil Kamper, RN, BSN, OCN , speaksfrom experience when she talks about thevalue that oncology certified nurses add toMeridian Oncology Associates in Mississippi; she has worked with one of the physician owners, John Clay, MD, for 28 years.Kamper, the clinic manager, said that acollaborative spirit in the busy clinic contributes to zero employee turnover amongcertified oncology nurses. Physician-nursecollegiality is present at the clinic; judg-5ment of oncology certified nurses is soughtby the physicians, who often ask, “What doyou suggest for managing this symptom?”All of the seven full-time oncology nurses are certified by ONCC. The clinic sees100–120 patients daily. All of the RNs inthe patient-care environment mix chemotherapy, infuse drugs, and teach patients.Meridian Oncology Associates encourages its nurses to become certified by paying for the examination fees as well as providing a lending library of core curriculumand other review materials. Upon passingthe examination, oncology certified nursesare paid a bonus and earn the opportunityto attend Oncology Nursing Society eventssuch as the annual Congress or Institutes ofLearning; Meridian Oncology Associatespays salary, travel fees, registration, andlodging.ONCC salutes both of the organizationsfor recognizing the value and contributionof oncology certified nurses.

ONCC News, Volume XX, No. 3, Fall 2006A New Batch of Employers Support CertificationFifty-two institutions recently were recognized by ONCC for staffing their facilities with oncology certified nurses.ONCC provides recognition plaques freeto patient-care settings where the majority(more than 50%) of professional nurses isoncology certified.To apply for a recognition plaque or torequest a replacement certificate, visit www.oncc.org/awards/plaques.shtml.Albert Lea Medical Center–Mayo Health System,Cancer Center, in MinnesotaAlta Bates Summit Medical Center, 4 NortheastHematology/Oncology Unit, in Berkely, CAAnne Arundel Medical Center, Outpatient Infusion, in Annapolis, MDArthur G. James and Richard J. Solove Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Ohio State University, Radiation Medicine, in ColumbusBoulder Community Hospital, Tisone CancerCare Center, in ColoradoCampbell Health System, Terry George Sisk Oncology Unit, in Weathorford, TXCancer Care Associates, South Tulsa CancerCenter, in OklahomaCentegra Health System, Sage Cancer Center,in McHenry, ILCentral Maine Medical Center, Hematology/Oncology, in LewistonChrist Hospital Cancer Center in Cincinnati, OHChristus Spohn Cancer Center, Outpatient Cancer Center, in Corpus Christi, TXConsultants in Blood Disorders and Cancer,Nursing Department, in Louisville, KYDesert Hematology Oncology Medical Group inRancho Mirage, CADurham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chemotherapy, in North CarolinaFlorida Cancer Specialists in VeniceGainesville Hematology Oncology Associates inFloridaGaston Memorial Hospital, Outpatient Oncology,in Gastonia, NCGood Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, Radiation Oncology, in West Islip, NYGreenwich Hospital, Bendheim Cancer CenterChemotherapy Areas, in ConnecticutInternal Medicine Associates Hematology/Oncology in Bloomington, INITA Partners, Inc., Oncology Care Managers, inPhiladelphia, PAJefferson Regional Medical Center, 4 North Oncology, in Pittsburgh, PAKatmai Oncology Group, LLC, in Anchorage, AKKingsport Hematology-Oncology Associates inTennesseeLos Angeles Hematology Oncology MedicalGroup in CaliforniaLos Angeles Hematology Oncology MedicalGroup in Glendale, CALoyola University Medical Center, Radiation Oncology, in Maywood, ILMedImmune Oncology, Oncology Nurse Educator Program, in Gaithersburg, MDMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, SidneyKimmel Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers, in New York, NYMeridian Oncology Associates in MississippiNaval Medical Center San Diego, HematologyOncology Division, in CaliforniaNorthside Hospital Outpatient Infusion Center inAtlanta, GA23 Nurses Sign on as AdvocatesMore certified nurses have joined theOncology Nursing Certification Advocates Program to promote the benefitsof certification in their workplaces andcommunities. The newest advocate volunteers follow.Lisa Aiello-Laws, North Cape May, NJAnna M. Bailey, Wooster, OHAprill Baker, Vero Beach, FLLisa Barbarotto, Hamden, CTLuzviminda Bautista, Edgewater, NJCarol Brueggen, Rochester, MNCarol Chell, Brookings, SDMichael Fritz, Baton Rouge, LALynda Lee Garafano, Burlington, VTAnna Giallo-Uvino, New York, NYSharon LaFever, Baltimore, MDDeborah J. Lee, Houston, TXDebbie Moriarty, Toms River, NJCorina Nance, Temple, TXMarilyn Omabegho, Somerset, NJJanet Parrish, Joliet, ILTeresa Pischner, Mount Pleasant, SCKami Potter, Allentown, PAJudith Strobel, Owensboro, KYLaurie Sturdevant, Houston, TXAngela Tummons, Liverpool, NYMary B. VanDerhule, Sioux Falls, SDTamela Williamson, Richmond, VAAdvocates are oncology certified nurses who volunteer to promote the benefitsof certification in their workplaces, chapters, and communities.Currently, more than 500 certified nurses participate in the program. For a complete list of advocates or an applicationto join the program, visit the ONCC Website at est Indiana Oncology in LaPorteOncology-Hematology, PA, in Seaford, DEPiedmont Oncology Specialists in Charlotte,NCPrivate Diagnostic Clinic at Duke UniversityMedical Center, Surgical Oncology Clinic, inDurham, NCResource Center for Gynecologic Oncology inKansas City, MORex Cancer Center, Rex Hematology OncologyAssociates, in Raleigh, NCShore Memorial Hospital, Cancer Program, inSomers Point, NJShore Memorial Hospital, Radiation Oncology, inSomers Point, NJSouth Florida Center for Gynecologic Oncologyin Boynton BeachSpartanburg Regional Medical Center, BreastHealth Program, in South CarolinaSt. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, InfusionCenter, in Lincoln, NESt. Joseph Hospital, Oncology Center, in Nashua,NHStillwater Cancer Center in OklahomaSynergy Health St. Joseph’s Hospital, MedicalOncology, in West Bend, INUniversity of Michigan Comprehensive CancerCenter, Cancer AnswerLine, in Ann ArborWentworth Douglass Hospital, Seacoast CancerCenter, in Dover, NJWest Coast Gynecologic Oncology in Clearwater, FLWisconsin Cancer Care Associates, ElmbrookOffice, in BrookfieldWisconsin Cancer Care Associates, Rawson Office, in FranklinWisconsin Cancer Care Associates, SJRMC, inMilwaukeeRenewal PointValue Changesfor ContinuingMedical EducationOne hour of continuing medical education (CME) soon will be worth one pointtoward certification renewal by the Oncology Nursing Certification Points RenewalOption (ONC-PRO). What’s behind thechange?Previously, a CME hour, which requires60 minutes of instructional content, wasworth 1.2 ONC-PRO points. A continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hour,which required 50 minutes of instructionalcontent, was worth one ONC-PRO point.(See “CME,” page 7)6

ONCC News, Volume XX, No. 3, Fall 2006CMEPediatric Nurses GroupChanges Its Name(Continued from page 6)The extra value for a CME hour recognized the difference in theamount of instruction time provided in an hour of CME versus anhour of CNE.However, beginning in 2007, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, one of the largest accrediting bodies for CNE, willrequire 60 minutes of instructional content for one CNE contacthour. In recognition of the change, which means that the amountof instruction will be the same in one hour of CNE as in one hourof CME, ONCC will award one ONC-PRO point for one contacthour of either CNE or CME. The new ONC-PRO point value forCME will begin in 2007.Renewal candidates should record their CNE and CME pointson separate ONC-PRO logs. Electronic logs are available on theONCC Web site at www.oncc.org/oncpro.A limit exists on the number of points that can be submittedin the CME category. A maximum of 50% (50 points for OCN and CPON renewal candidates, 62.5 for AOCN , AOCNP, andAOCNS renewal candidates) may be CME.If you have questions about certification renewal, visit the ONCCWeb site at www.oncc.org/renewal or contact ONCC at 877-7696622 (toll free).The Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (APON) iscelebrating its 30th anniversary with a name change. APONnow is the Association of Pediatric Hematology/OncologyNurses (APHON, pronounced APON).According to APHON President Rita Secola, MS, RN,CPON , “Our organization’s name change truly reflects andacknowledges the nurses and patients and families we serve.”Over the years, the group has increased its educational opportunities, publications, and initiatives on pediatric hematology,recognizing that a majority of its members routinely providecare for children with hematologic and oncologic disorders.The name change will be accompanied by a new logo andredesigned Web site, both to be implemented during the coming months. Learn more at www.aphon.org.When ONCC conducts the next role delineation study ofpediatric oncology nursing practice in 2008, hematology willbe included. Pending the study results, changes t

Inga Aksamit, RN, MBA, OCN , vice president of clinical services, National Oncology Alliance, San Rafael, CA Leadership experience: Oncology Nursing Society, Bone Mar-row Transplantation SIG, newsletter edi-tor, 1997-1999 National Oncology Alliance, American Society of Clinical Oncology Highlights Program, program leader, 2006