Revising the blueprint for the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) examination: a role delineation study

To conduct a role delineation study of basic oncology nursing practice as a basis for revision of the blueprint for the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) examination.

Three-phase study of oncology nurses' practice.

735 oncology nurses randomly chosen from all nurses who are OCN certified.

A pilot survey was mailed to a small group to allow refinement of the survey instrument. The revised survey then was e-mailed to a total sample of 3,000 OCNs. The results and input from experts on the subject matter were used to revise the test blueprint.

Frequency and importance of 223 oncology nursing activities previously identified by the group of experts in oncology nursing.

The highest ranked items for the combined frequency and importance scales pertained to the subscales Professional Performance, Patient/Family Education, Comfort, Protective Mechanisms, and Coping. The lowest ranked activities pertained to subscales Research, Detection, Sexuality, and Prevention.

The blueprint for the OCN examination reflects entry-level oncology nursing practice and includes eight domains of practice: Quality of Life (36%), Protective Mechanisms (13%), Gastrointestinal and Urinary Function (10%), Cardiopulmonary Function (8%), Oncologic Emergencies (7%), Scientific Basis for Practice (12%), Health Promotion (3%), and Professional Performance (11%).

Because oncology nursing is changing, reconfirming and updating the blueprint for the certification examination is necessary. Certification examinations beginning in April 2003 will be based on the revised blueprint.