Ocn certification

Swellz · May 20, 2020

Bump!

I'm studying for the PCCN first, but I just finished my contract on an ONC floor, so now that I have my hours for the OCN again, I want to do that as well. I am assuming testing centers are open!

OncologyCat, BSN, RN · May 21, 2020

I just got my OCN earlier this year. I studied casually and browsed through my materials for a year until I signed up for my test. I sat down, took notes, and studied for 2-3 weeks before my test date. I did go to a review class at my workplace.

In addition to the Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing book and its associated Study Guide from ONS, I highly recommend these two books. The yellow one presents information concisely instead of the detailed, lengthy way in the Core Curriculum, so I'd prefer the yellow book. The white book has two practice tests with 150 questions each; they're more complex than the actual questions in the exam, in my opinion, but I think it's better that way than the other way around.

White book: https://www.amazon.com/OCN-Exam-Practice-Questions-Certified/dp/1627338780

Yellow book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1610723880/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ChelseaOCN, BSN, RN · May 22, 2020

I took the ONS Review Bundle Courses and completed the ONCC Practice Tests. They offer one for free too.

https://www.oncc.org/store

Happy studying, and good luck!

registerednoise, ASN, BSN · Sep 10, 2020

OncologyCat said:

I just got my OCN earlier this year. I studied casually and browsed through my materials for a year until I signed up for my test. I sat down, took notes, and studied for 2-3 weeks before my test date. I did go to a review class at my workplace.

In addition to the Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing book and its associated Study Guide from ONS, I highly recommend these two books. The yellow one presents information concisely instead of the detailed, lengthy way in the Core Curriculum, so I'd prefer the yellow book. The white book has two practice tests with 150 questions each; they're more complex than the actual questions in the exam, in my opinion, but I think it's better that way than the other way around.

White book: https://www.amazon.com/OCN-Exam-Practice-Questions-Certified/dp/1627338780

Yellow book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1610723880/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You probably won't see this but I just wanted to tell you that I followed your advice and bought both of the Mometrix books- I passed and I cannot thank you enough! Thanks!

OncologyCat, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2020

registerednoise said:

You probably won't see this but I just wanted to tell you that I followed your advice and bought both of the Mometrix books- I passed and I cannot thank you enough! Thanks!

Congratulations! I'm glad my advice was helpful!

Ali Alfaro, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2020

Just some advice for anyone who happens upon this post: STUDY. The ONCC website is quite helpful with information that will help you prepare. Follow the OCN blueprint as a study guide. The site also explains how the test is graded, with several versions of the test. It's possible to receive a difficult test that allows you to get more questions wrong and still pass, and vice versa. I have 11 years of oncology experience and studied for a month before taking the exam, and I felt it was tough. I'm guessing my version was one of the hard ones. I used the ONS Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing study guide and the companion test question book (the questions in the book are significantly more complex than the actual test questions, but it's a great way to learn the content). I also purchased the test bundle on the ONCC website, plus the free test. Doing so gives you 200 questions to practice with that accurately reflect the test questions. There won't be any of the same questions on the test, but the style and material are there. I do not recommend any other study guides, the question styles are incorrect, and I found some errors in the content, especially the Mometrix guides.

Regardless of how long you have been in oncology, this is not a test you can walk into and take. The more experience you have, the easier it will be, but you still need to study. I felt confident with about 40% of the test questions based on experience alone, but the test covers so much content that it's impossible to know everything only from experience.

Once you complete the test, you determine if you pass or fail immediately. You are given a score breakdown to determine areas that require additional ILNA points. To renew certification every four years, everyone must complete a minimum of 25 ILNA points, plus any additional in the areas that need further studying. Thankfully my studying paid off, as I didn't have to complete any additional points.

I hope this helps anyone reading, and best of luck!

applesaucesm · Feb 17, 2021

Studying right now as well, mainly via the ONS bundle course, but I also have the Mometrix yellow guide and white practice test books. To say I'm overwhelmed is an understatement. I've taken practice tests and have scored 70-80% on most. What I'm trying to figure out is the extent to which that score range is a good predictor for how I'll do on the real thing, and would that mean a passing score, or do I need to score higher on the practice tests, reliably, even to consider that I might pass the OCN exam? Any thoughts? Thank you!

OncologyCat, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2021

applesaucesm said:

Studying right now as well, mainly via the ONS bundle course, but I also have the Mometrix yellow guide and white practice test books. To say I'm overwhelmed is an understatement. I've taken practice tests and have scored 70-80% on most. What I'm trying to figure out is the extent to which that score range is a good predictor for how I'll do on the real thing, and would that mean a passing score, or do I need to score higher on the practice tests, reliably, even to consider that I might pass the OCN exam? Any thoughts? Thank you!

I would think so! When I did my practice tests at home, I didn't feel prepared and usually scored around 60-70%, but the actual exam was less challenging for me, to be honest with you. I had to think through the questions and rely on my previous clinical experience, but I did. Best of luck to you; I'm sure you'll do well!

Ali Alfaro, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2021

applesaucesm said:

Studying right now as well, mainly via the ONS bundle course, but I also have the Mometrix yellow guide and white practice test books. To say I'm overwhelmed is an understatement. I've taken practice tests and have scored 70-80% on most. What I'm trying to figure out is the extent to which that score range is a good predictor for how I'll do on the real thing, and would that mean a passing score, or do I need to score higher on the practice tests, reliably, even to consider that I might pass the OCN exam? Any thoughts? Thank you!

I would refrain from using the Mometrix tests/guides. I found errors in the material and saw many reviews stating the same. Highly recommend the OCN test bundle ($65) and the ONS guidebook and tests. You're definitely on the right track if you can score 70-80+ on those tests. Best of luck!

adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN · Jun 26, 2022

ChelseaOCN said:

I took the ONS Review Bundle Courses and completed the ONCC Practice Tests. They offer one for free too.

https://www.oncc.org/store

Happy studying, and good luck!

I am planning to go this route, thanks.

OncologySANEBABE, BSN · Sep 29, 2022

I just took my OCN exam and Passed. I wanted to share my experience. I did the core bundle course simply for review. I took about seven practice OCN exams and reviewed rationales for each ( especially the ones I got wrong). When I began to score between 70-80s, I knew I was ready to test. I used Mometrix, both a yellow and white book, for practice tests only( these questions are so much more complex than OCN, in my opinion). I also did exams on ONS and the exam edge website. I realized I learned more by reviewing rationales on practice exams than by reading a review book. So taking practice tests was my core focus, and learning from rationales was vital. I also visited the American Cancer Society and reviewed cancer facts and figures. Lastly, I reviewed test strategies on how to answer questions. I hope this helps someone. I was so anxious about this exam, and as long as you prepare, you will do good. Good Luck.