From left, Oncology nurses Meaghan Kiley, Chrissy Hale and Leslie Dunford share information about the certification process and benefits during Certified Nurses Day.

Leslie Dunford, BSN, RN, OCN, wanted to become certified in oncology nursing to increase her knowledge and enhance the skills she already possesses. Resources she received through the Oncology Division and Department of Nursing helped boost her confidence to sit for the oncology certified nurse (OCN) exam this year.

Certification provides nurses with a way to expand their knowledge and professional growth and achieve higher standards of practice.
– Katie Fillipon

“I used the FreeTake program to decrease my anxiety about taking the test,” said Dunford, of Tower 5B. “It gave me the freedom to take the test knowing that I could take it again if needed and use the experience as a learning tool. This gave me the courage to try my best, and I was elated that I passed.”

The Oncology Division Committee, which comprises clinical nurses and leaders, is piloting various ways to support nurses who wish to become certified, including the FreeTake program that Dunford used. Through a partnership with the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), Brigham nurses are able to take tests for ONCC certifications with no up-front cost and retake the test at no additional cost if they do not pass the first time.

“Certification provides nurses with a way to expand their knowledge and professional growth and achieve higher standards of practice,” said Katie Fillipon, MS, RN, OCN, FNP-BC, associate chief nurse for Oncology and Medicine. “Becoming certified also builds nurses’ confidence and empowers them in all aspects of their role, including decision-making.”

For these reasons, the Oncology Division Committee has set a goal of increasing the division’s certification rate by 10 percent this year. The committee’s first step was surveying clinical nurses to identify barriers.

With a response rate of 50 percent, the survey provided committee members with important insights about challenges, including:

• cost of certification
• lack of understanding of the process
• lack of understanding of the process
• fear of not passing
• limited access to study materials

All committee members who are not certified have committed to becoming certified within the year. The group is offering study materials and creating a mentorship program that pairs certified nurses with those planning to sit for an examination to provide guidance.

Other division committees are also focusing on helping nurses to obtain professional certifications. Resources are becoming available to nurses in all areas.