What the Course Entails and Exam Details

Preparing for the OCN exam requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex multifaceted world of oncology care. The core syllabus and skills covered are organized into major domains from the OCN® Test Content Outline, which include:

• Care Continuum: Health promotion, risk factors, screening, navigation, coordination of care, advance care planning, and survivorship.

• Oncology Nursing Practice: Scientific basis of carcinogenesis, immunology, clinical trials, genetics, site-specific cancer considerations, standards of practice, and professional development.

• Treatment Modalities: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, biotherapy, targeted therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

• Symptom Management and Palliative Care: Systemic and localized treatment-related side effects, comfort measures, and pain management.

• Oncologic Emergencies: Identification and management of conditions like spinal cord compression, neutropenic fever, and superior vena cava syndrome.

• Psychosocial Dimensions of Care: Emotional, social, and spiritual support for 

patients and their families.

What to Expect in the Final Exam

The final OCN exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice assessment designed to test not just factual recall, but also critical thinking and clinical judgment. The format consists of 165 total multiple-choice questions, but only 145 of these will count toward your final score. The remaining 20 are "pretest" items being evaluated for future exams and are seamlessly integrated.

Candidates are given a total of 3 hours to complete the entire test. As there are no scheduled breaks during the test, it is essential to manage your time wisely. The ONCC uses a scaled score to determine the passing standard, which can change periodically based on psychometric analyses. Immediately upon completing the exam, you will receive a preliminary pass/fail result.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Preparation for the OCN exam should be a multi-month journey. The best first step is to download the OCN® Test Content Outline from the ONCC website and use it to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Recommended study strategies include creating a formal study plan, focusing on high-weight domains, and forming study groups or partnering with other candidates.

The single most effective tool for preparation is utilizing high-quality OCN practice tests. These tests not only simulate the exam experience but also help you get familiar with the generic drug names used in the questions and identify specific content areas where you need additional study. ONCC provides an official reference list of books from which the test questions are derived.

The OCN exam is administered at hundreds of PSI testing centers across North America. To schedule your exam, you must first apply to the ONCC, after which you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) opening your testing window. You can then use the ATT to schedule your specific date and time at a PSI center of your choice. Be sure to arrive at the center early, bringing two forms of valid, current identification, as test security is paramount.

Job Opportunities from the Course

Earning your OCN certification can unlock numerous advanced career paths and specialized job titles in the oncology field. Here are some of the career opportunities and job titles that an OCN certification can help you achieve:

• Oncology Registered Nurse (RN)

• Medical Oncology Nurse

• Radiation Oncology Nurse

• Symptom Management Nurse

• Infusion Clinic RN

• Oncology Nurse Navigator

• Hepatology/Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

• Clinical Research Nurse for Oncology Trials

• Oncology Hospice Nurse

• Adult Oncology Nurse Practitioner (NP)

• Unit Manager/Charge Nurse of an Oncology Unit