Oncology Nurse Certification Exam

arcraig2 · Nov 29, 2015

Per the recommendations on the ONS website, I took the 3 (recommended, not required) prerequisite courses. Cancer Basics, Cancer Biology, Chemo Basics. I paid for the membership and the three classes out of pocket, but really think it helped me prepare for the ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course and exam. It helped me get used to the self-paced aspect of online courses, and familiarize myself with the online classroom platform. The exam is open-book, so while I was taking the class, I made sure to highlight and take notes in the 490-page book. It took me 2 hours to complete the exam, but I passed with 90%! Good luck!

OCNRN63, RN · Nov 29, 2015

I got the Core Curriculum study guide, and focused my studying based on which areas were weighted heavier than others.

The OCN exam is not open book.

gratefulnurse · Nov 30, 2015

These are helpful comments. Thank you very much. I am slowly working through the online review classes. I actually went on line put into the search box a variety of words related to test-taking of nursing exams. This led me to some helpful blogs and videos. For someone who has been out of the academic arena as long as I have, the actual test-taking skills are as important as the knowledge base. I anticipate that I will study for several months and intend to take the test in mid-March. I want to break for the holidays and have time for family, etc. Any more contributions are greatly appreciated!

Myersk08 · Dec 3, 2015

So really and truly the test itself wasn't that bad. I had only been a ONC nurse for 6 months before taking the test and scored a 94 in my panic stricken state. It's most basic knowledge or important facts about drugs that stand out. Things like which drug do you have to educate patients not to eat cold items. Just make sure you do the modules and have the book with you when you take the test. Also I always work back from the answers so if there is a side effect they are looking for narrow them down. Also you can save the test and come back so don't panic like me you have the time to take to work through the questions!

The difficulty in the class is really the discussion boards. However with 30 yrs experience you will probably do fine. My advice to you is really don't stress about how much you write in them, just make sure what you are writing is quality information. The discussion I tried the hardest on scored lower than the one I was to the point on.

Hope this helps!! You will do great!

gratefulnurse · Dec 4, 2015

Thank you, Myersk08. I appreciate the encouragement. I have been administering chemotherapy for over 5 years. I do have the entry-level biotherapy card. I believe this is an open-book exam. I have taken it 3 times, renewing every 2 years.

What I am after now, is the Certification as an Oncology nurse. There is a review class online for $279. I am enrolled in that class but find the amount of material to learn quite challenging. I am also many years distant from much formal testing. I am honing both the knowledge base in the review material, and reading various sources on how to answer questions in a nursing exam. This level is what has me slightly over-whelmed. Off to study, I must go! My peers that have taken the test tell me it is hard. So these next months, I will be focusing on this material and getting ready for the exam.