Oncology Certified Nurse Specialist in Japan.

The purpose of this article is to review a historical perspective of the Certified Nurse Specialist role and current trends in nursing education and practice of the Oncology Certified Nurse Specialist. Since the initiation of Certified Nurse Specialist credentialing system in 1995, 193 Oncology Certified Nurse Specialists have practiced in clinical settings. The Oncology Certified Nurse Specialist credentials committee, the Association of Nursing Programs in University and the Association of Oncology Certified Nurse Specialists play the important part to maintain a high level of Oncology Certified Nurse Specialist competencies in Japan. The Oncology Certified Nurse Specialist should promote the outcomes research to assess the effectiveness of nursing intervention by the Oncology Certified Nurse Specialist, and participate in the interdisciplinary research by collaborating with other health professionals to realize the ongoing cancer reforms in Japan.