Oncology Nurse Navigation: Results of the 2016 Role Delineation Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2011, an oncology nurse navigator (ONN) role delineation survey (RDS) was conducted by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) when the role was relatively new to oncology. Results did not demonstrate a unique skill set for the ONN; however, since then, the role has expanded. OBJECTIVES: ONS and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation partnered in 2016 to complete an RDS of ONNs to redefine the role and determine the need for an ONN certification examination. METHODS: A structured RDS was conducted using a formal consensus-building process. A survey was developed and released to examine the specific tasks, knowledge, and skills for the ONN as well as to determine which role possesses more responsibility for the tasks. FINDINGS: The ONN role is evolving, and more was learned about its key tasks, including differences in the responsibilities of the ONN and the clinical or staff nurse. However, the RDS did not find an adequate difference in the knowledge required by the ONN and the clinical or staff nurse to support the need for a separate ONN certification.

Oncology nurse navigator role delineation study: an oncology nursing society report.

The purpose of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Oncology Nurse Navigator Role Delineation Study was to examine the job-function activities of the oncology nurse navigator, thus providing an understanding of this unique role. The Role Delineation Advisory Committee consisting mainly of oncology nurse navigators was formed to provide content expertise to Applied Measurement Professionals, which conducted the role delineation study. Three hundred and thirty nurses completed the survey. The study clearly defined tasks, knowledge areas, and skills that are very specific to the nurse navigator role; however, the overlap in knowledge with the general oncology nurse role needs to be explored. The ONS Board of Directors and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Board of Directors currently are exploring the need for additional initiatives to help define the role and competencies of the oncology nurse navigator.

The value of oncology nursing certification.

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.

Strengthening end-of-life care through specialty nursing certification.

The purpose of this study was to determine the adequacy of content related to end-of-life (EOL) care in materials used in the nursing certification process across clinical nursing specialties. Thirty-eight certification examination blueprints, 18 specialty nursing scope and standards of practice documents, and 28 specialty nursing core curriculum text books were analyzed by using descriptive statistics to determine the quantity and quality of content related to nine critical areas of EOL content contained in them. Fifteen (38 per cent) of the certification examination blueprints contained at least one of the critical EOL content areas. Eight (44 per cent) of the scope and standards of practice documents contained at least one sentence on EOL care. Seven (25 per cent) of the 28 textbooks contained at least one chapter dedicated to EOL care content, and 129.5 (0.8 per cent) of the 15,706 textbook pages reviewed were dedicated to EOL care content. Expert ratings regarding the overall accuracy, currency, and comprehensiveness of EOL content found in the textbooks were poor to good. An increased focus on EOL care in the nursing specialty certification process is warranted. The content of nursing specialty certification examinations has a direct influence on nursing education as well as a significant impact on nursing practice in clinical specialty areas.