ONCC Launches New Certification for Blood and Marrow Transplant Nurses

Friday, August 24, 2012

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) announces it will offer a new certification program in blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) nursing.  The first Blood and Marrow Transplantation Certified Nurse Examination will be offered in February 2014. Nurses who pass the test will earn the credential “BMTCN.”

ONCC announced the program after completing a role delineation study of BMT nursing practice. The role study identified the tasks involved in BMT nursing and the knowledge needed to perform those tasks competently. The BMTCN Examination will cover autologous and allogeneic transplantation in adult and pediatric patients.

According to ONCC President Carol Brueggen, MS, RN, CNS, AOCNS®, “We’re excited to launch the BMTCN program. As the field of blood and marrow transplantation has evolved, nurses in the specialty have developed a unique body of knowledge. BMTCN certification will validate that knowledge.”

ONCC Executive Director Cyndi Miller Murphy, MSN, RN, CAE, added, “We’re moving forward with program development immediately. Over the next year, we will invite nurses in the specialty to participate in test development, item writing, and passing score activities.  Their expertise will help to ensure the content validity of this certification.”

Eligibility criteria for BMTCN certification have not been finalized. They will likely require an RN license as well as recent practice and continuing education in the specialty.

ONCC is a not for profit organization that was founded in 1984. ONCC’s mission is to promote excellence in patient care and professional practice by validating specialized knowledge in oncology nursing and related specialties. ONCC offers certification in adult oncology nursing, pediatric hematology/oncology nursing, and in breast care nursing. Currently, more than 33,000 nurses are ONCC-certified. Learn more about ONCC certification at www.oncc.org.

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