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What Do you Expect in Cancer Care? How Oncology Nursing Certification Makes a Difference

Cancer care. It is funny how two little words can mean so much to the patients and their families who receive it. Cancer care means many things to many people: from the skills needed to handle the hardest cases and treatments, to the extra concern and care of a patient's feelings and fears during such a difficult time. These are traits today's patients with cancer want and need, and a facility that provides quality cancer care can meet these wants and needs—your wants and needs.

Many things can add to quality cancer care. One of the most important things is the value of nursing care a patient receives. No one spends as much time with patients as nurses. Today, many places are making sure they offer the best care by having nurses certified in oncology (cancer) care on their staff.

Registered nurses can become certified in a focused area of nursing, including cancer care. A certified nurse has shown strong knowledge in a specific area of nursing by passing an examination. Certification is difficult to learn, so being a certified nurse in oncology is a great accomplishment.

Oncology certified nurses have met the standards for quality cancer care. They are the ones who bring knowledge and loyalty to their jobs and patients through:
  • Proven skills and current knowledge in all areas of cancer care.
  • Knowledge in caring for patients with cancer.
  • Strong thinking skills needed to make quick and smart choices about patient cancer problems.
  • Loyalty to their area of work and the needs of their patients.
Coping with the thought of cancer is hard for patients and their families. Concern about the care they receive should not add to this stress. Oncology certified nurses provide patients and their families with:
  • Confidence in their cancer care
  • Know-how and advice
  • Comfort and safety in the hands of their nurses
  • Peace of mind

But how do you know if your nurse is certified in cancer care? Ask! It is your right to know the skills of the people taking care of you or your family member, and most nurses would be happy to tell you. After all, it is you who will be receiving the care, and you should feel good about the people who are providing it.

For more information about oncology nursing certification, please visit the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Web site.

The mission of the Oncology Nursing Society is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.