Introduction
The ONCC Radiation Therapy Certificate is significant in the healthcare industry since it provides participants with knowledge on how to treat various forms of cancer and what risks are associated with this process. The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) (n.d.a) states that 80% or higher is a passing grade for the final exam. The cost is $209 for non-members and $149 for ONS members (ONS, n.d.b). Pre-certification requirements include the primary content of educational courses for nurses of radiation oncology departments.
Certification Process
The Certification course provides participants with essential knowledge in radiology and teaches them how to provide adequate care to patients. The final exam is used to identify whether the participants have absorbed these materials. The Certificate is valid for three years, and it is necessary to re-confirm it once the term expires. The renewal is allowed if a participant provides added qualification from the ONS Corporation and an NCPD certificate.
Problem Statement
The problem statement refers to the situation that radiation oncology nurses lack the knowledge to provide patients with correct dose rates to ensure their safety and contribute to achieving optimal health outcomes. Thus, the Certification was chosen since it promised to address this problem and provide healthcare professionals with the required expertise. Not many nurses know about the Certification because some of them are not interested in improving their professional qualities. Furthermore, the Certification is not broadly advertised among medical organizations.
Scholarly Article Key Point
The article by Moskalenko et al. (2021) stipulates that the RO setting suffers from low-qualified personnel, which leads to worsened health outcomes. It happens because not many nurses engage in RO-specific training and education. Healthcare professionals typically become familiar with this information at jobs, meaning that nursing schools do not provide this information. That is why the study demonstrates that it is of significance to improve RO nurses’ expertise, and specific certificates are suitable options.
Scholarly Article Connection
The study by Moskalenko et al. (2021) demonstrates that there is a connection between RO education and improved patient outcomes. The rationale is that highly-educated nurses can provide patients with adequate care. For example, healthcare professionals require sufficient expertise to assign accurate radiation dosage to treat a condition and avoid harm. Since the selected Certification provides nurses with such knowledge, it is possible to highlight its connection to improved health outcomes.
Scholarly Article Connection: Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are of significance for nurses in the RO setting, and Moskalenko et al. (2021) prove it. These skills result in the fact that nurses can take the responsibility of providing patients with the required care. Healthcare professionals also apply leadership since they are in constant contact with patients. Finally, one can admit that leadership skills rise when nurses grow professionally, and the Certification contributes to it.
Conclusion
The ONCC Radiation Therapy Certificate is created for RO departments and their personnel. Since some of these staff members lack sufficient knowledge and expertise, the Certification addresses this gap. The study by Moskalenko et al. (2021) reveals the problem and stipulates that the Certification can solve the issue. The rationale is that the Certification provides RO nurses with sufficient knowledge, which improves health outcomes and contributes to acquiring leadership skills.
What Was Learned
It has been stated that the radiation oncology setting has a gap because nurses are insufficiently educated and experienced. That is why the ONCC Radiation Therapy Certificate is available for nurses to improve their professional skills. There are specific certification and renewal requirements, and healthcare professionals should meet them to become enrolled. The Certification provides its members with significant benefits because the acquired knowledge helps nurses make correct decisions, while leadership skills allow them to take responsibility, which leads to better health outcomes.
References
Oncology Nursing Society. (n.d.a). ONS/ONCC Radiation Therapy Certificate. Web.
Oncology Nursing Society. (n.d.b). ONS/ONCC Radiation Therapy Certificate course. Web.
Moskalenko, M., Zaccone, J., Fiscelli, C. A., Wieworka, J., Anderson, R., Choflet, A., Martens, S., Goodman, K. A., Golden, D. W., & Nath, S.K. (2021). Assessment of radiation oncology nurse education in the United States. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics, 110(1), 93-112. Web.