100% of Cancer Center RNs Earn Oncology Nursing Certification

All 12 registered nurses at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital have obtained their Oncology Nursing Certification

  All 12 registered nurses at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital have obtained their Oncology Nursing Certification, which promotes formal recognition of specialized knowledge, skills and experience and ensures patients and families they are receiving quality nursing care. The 12 nurses are: Cathy Bethel, Grant Brauwn, Kristy Cessna, Andrea Comeaux, Chryl Corizzo, Page Decker, Lindsay Gomez, Debbie Miller, Jamie Millet, Julie Nunez, Chad Parker and Staci Scallon. “We are extremely pleased that 100 percent of our RN staff has now received their oncology nursing certification because it not only elevates the care we provide for our patients, but it reinforces that Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital has the most qualified and experienced nursing team in the region,” said Cancer Center Administrator Rob Leonhard. The OCN® Examination tests the knowledge necessary for the nurse to practice competently at the basic level within the specialty of adult oncology nursing. Oncology nursing certification is available to nurses who have:

• a current, active RN licensure
• a minimum of 12 months of experience as an RN within the three years prior to application
• a minimum of 1,000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice within the two-and-one-half years prior to application, and
• completed a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education in the specialty of oncology nursing or an academic elective in oncology nursing.

Certification is a voluntary process that signifies a nurse has experience and specialty knowledge beyond the entry level. Certification examinations in oncology nursing are based on current professional practice and validate a certified nurse’s knowledge is up to date.