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Discussion

OCN requirements

Hello!

I am a BSN nursing student graduating in Dec 2015. I wish to pursue a focus in oncology and I am in the process of getting my ACLS certificate. There is an option to take an ECG certificate. As an oncology nurse, do any of you think I should also take the ECG class? Or do you think it is unnecessary?

Feedback or other tips would be greatly appreciated!

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    Even more important than the certificates is the level of knowledge and understanding behind them, and the ability to apply that knowledge in practice. If you are taking ACLS, then yes, you should be able to recognize EKG rhythms; that is a given, so I think a good quality EKG course that results in a certification is very valuable. Was being able to correctly recognize EKG rhythms not a pre-requisite for your ACLS course?

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    • Author

    From my classes in nursing school I have had basic EKG rhythms training. I'm not entirely sure if that is a defined prerequisite for the ACLS course I am taking, but I would assume that it probably is. I'm curious if it is vital for me to get an EKG certificate even if I already have had basic training on EKGs?

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    From my classes in nursing school I have had basic EKG rhythms training. I'm not entirely sure if that is a defined prerequisite for the ACLS course I am taking, but I would assume that it probably is. I'm curious if it is vital for me to get an EKG certificate even if I already have had basic training on EKGs?

    You should be able to recognize EKG rhythms prior to taking ACLS, so if you are already competent at doing this it should be sufficient. No, I have not heard of a formal EKG course and certificate being a requirement for an ACLS course, but I do know that competency in recognizing EKG rhythms is necessary for some courses, i.e. AHA ACLS.

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    It really depends on the requirements of the unit you're working on. In my experience, I haven't even needed ACLS since we were considered acute care. On my current unit we take an EKG course since our patients are on tele course and test, but no special EKG certification.

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    • Experts
    From my classes in nursing school I have had basic EKG rhythms training. I'm not entirely sure if that is a defined prerequisite for the ACLS course I am taking, but I would assume that it probably is. I'm curious if it is vital for me to get an EKG certificate even if I already have had basic training on EKGs?

    There is no point on doing any of this if you are not working somewhere where you will be using this information frequently. Wait and see where your first job will be before you start planning on certificates. You still have 6 months of nursing school to complete.

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    The title of your post is OCN requirements, yet nothing in your post talks about the OCN. Am I missing something?

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    The title of your post is OCN requirements yet nothing in your post talks about the OCN. Am I missing something?[/quote']

    I think the original poster meant ocn as in oncology, not the actual OCN exam.

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    If you're wanting to do oncology, I suggest getting your chemo certification soon. After I graduated, I got my ACLS & then chemo. Good Luck! I wanted to do oncology too right out of college. I think it's the best field!

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