Difference between OCN and BMTCN

[caryrey02]

Hello, I am new to the world of oncology nursing and in my unit I see nurses with The tittles OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse) and BMTCN (Bone and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse). Can anyone explain what the differences are, if one is more basic than the other? Try to find the answer online but have not been successful. Thank you. 

[OncologyCat, BSN, RN]

OCN is more comprehensive for all cancer types; you’ll get questions about both solid and liquid cancers throughout your test. There could also be questions about radiation oncology in the test. Most onc nurse start with or obtain OCN first.

BMTCN, as its name suggests, is more focused on blood & marrow transplant. It’s a specialty of its own so I wouldn’t say if BMTCN or OCN is more basic. For BMT you’ll need to know chemo specific for BMT conditioning, the BMT process itself, stem cell donation, and BMT after care such as GVHD, relapse, and vaccine administration.

I suggest you go to the ONCC website and look through the test blueprint/study guide for both certifications and familiarize yourself with their differences. What type of onc nursing do you practice at work? Do you do BMT in your daily work? If you don’t have BMT experience yet, or are not involved in BMT care, the BMTCN wouldn’t be necessary for your daily practice. As you’re new to oncology too, I’d say give it a year or so to familiarize yourself with the specific knowledge in onc nursing.