Coffee Regional Medical Center recently celebrated an important achievement in oncology nursing excellence. DeLeice Wood, BSN, RN, OCN, Infusion Services & the Hanna Family Cancer Center’s Nurse Manager at Coffee Regional Medical Center, recently achieved a significant milestone by passing the prestigious Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Examination administered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). Her accomplishment adds to the esteemed group of over 30,000 Oncology Certified Nurses (OCN®), a testament to her dedication and expertise. These registered nurses, including staff nurses, clinicians, educators, and managers, are a source of inspiration for the entire healthcare community.
DeLeice’s professional journey is a testament to her dedication and versatility in the field of nursing. She received her Associate of Nursing degree in 1991 from South Georgia State College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Valdosta State in 2000. Her roles at CRMC, including Newborn Nursery, ICU, ED Charge Nurse, IT Clinical Analyst, Pharmacy Med Rec, and Preop, have provided her with a diverse and comprehensive understanding of nursing. Her part-time work with Dr Eric Anderson at his Outpatient Oncology Clinic in Douglas in 2003 was a significant milestone, during which she acquired her Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Administration Certificate.
Dr. Anderson’s return to Douglas to open CRH Oncology Group in 2017 marked a new chapter in her career, where she could administer chemotherapy and facilitate Infusion Services for the Oncology Service Line at Coffee Regional Medical Center.
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, unencumbered RN licensure
- a minimum of 24 months of experience as an RN within the four years before application
- a minimum of 2,000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice within the four years before application,
- and completed a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education in the specialty of oncology nursing or an academic elective in oncology nursing.
The certification for oncology nursing, which was introduced at the 1986 ONS Congress in Los Angeles, has grown significantly over the years. The first examination saw 1,384 registered nurses passing, and since then, more than 71,000 nurses have taken the examination. The OCN® Examination is now offered at nearly 300 computer-based testing sites in North America, a testament to the increasing importance and recognition of oncology nursing.