A study of the role of the generalist oncology nurse as a basis for revision of the blueprint for certification.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To delineate the current role of the generalist oncology nurse as a basis for revision of the blueprint for the OCN Exam.

DESIGN

Survey of generalist oncology nurses.

SAMPLE

1,200 oncology nurses randomly chosen from the general membership of the Oncology Nursing Society who completed and returned surveys.

METHODS

Surveys developed by subject matter experts and mailed by American College Testing.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Frequency and importance of 201 oncology nursing activities previously identified by a group of experts in oncology nursing.

FINDINGS

Highest ranked items for combined frequency and importance pertained to comfort, information, protective mechanisms, and coping. Lowest ranked items pertained to prevention, detection, research, and sexuality.

CONCLUSIONS

The blueprint was redesigned to include eight domains of practice: quality of life (27%), gastrointestinal and urinary function (15%), protective mechanisms (15%), scientific basis for practice (12%), cardiopulmonary function (10%), health promotion (8%), oncologic emergencies (7%), and professional performance (6%).

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Because oncology nursing is changing, it is necessary to reconfirm and update the blueprint for the certification exam. Certification exams for the generalist nurse beginning in May 1996 were based on this updated blueprint.