Revising the blueprint for the AOCN Examination using a role delineation study for advanced practice oncology nursing.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a role delineation study of advanced oncology nursing practice as a basis for the blueprint for the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN) Examination.


METHODS
Descriptive and comparative.


METHODS
A group of 802 Oncology Nursing Society members comprised of 258 oncology nurse practitioners (NPs), 235 oncology clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and 309 baccalaureate-prepared oncology nurses.


METHODS
A pilot survey was mailed to a small group to allow refinement of the survey instrument. The survey then was mailed to a total sample of 2,400.


METHODS
Frequency and importance to practice of 121 survey items as well as whether each item reflected an entry-level skill. Survey items were divided into five major domains: (a) Direct Caregiver, (b) Consultant, (c) Administrator/Coordinator, (d) Researcher and (e) Educator.


RESULTS
Direct Caregiver domain was weighted most heavily (63%), followed by Educator (18%), Consultant (10%), Administrator/Coordinator (5%), and Researcher (4%). Most of the items were identified as entry-level skills, and fewer than 10% of the items differentiated between CNS and NP respondents.


CONCLUSIONS
The blueprint for the AOCN Examination reflects entry-level advanced practice oncology nursing and is appropriate for both CNSs and NPs in oncology.


CONCLUSIONS
Examinees, consumers, and employers can have confidence that the AOCN Examination will be based on a blueprint that was revised to reflect current oncology nursing practice and, therefore, is valid for its purpose.
McMillan
S C
SC
University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa, USA.
Heusinkveld
K B
KB
Spray
J A
JA
Murphy
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000592:standards*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000592:standards*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014481:United States