ONCC OCN Certification Exam Syllabus

ONCC OCN syllabus for ONCC Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) preparation

Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the ONCC Oncology Certified Nurse certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the ONCC OCN exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The ONCC Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with Nursing Certification, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as adult oncology care continuum and professional practice, treatment modalities and symptom/supportive care, oncologic emergencies and psychosocial care within real-world settings like hospitals and cancer centers, outpatient oncology and infusion settings, community and supportive oncology settings.

The syllabus outline below reflects the core domains and expectations defined by the official ONCC certification framework and aligns with the cognitive and professional standards assessed in the ONCC OCN exam. Candidates can use this guide alongside official vendor resources and structured practice to align their preparation with current exam standards and professional expectations for adult oncology registered nurses, oncology nursing administration and education roles, oncology nursing research and consultation roles

ONCC OCN Exam Summary and Key Details

Exam Name	ONCC Oncology Certified Nurse
Credential	ONCC Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
Vendor	Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)
Exam Code	OCN » ONCC OCN Certification Practice Exam
Exam Delivery Mode	Computer-based testing at PSI test centers; year-round in the US, its territories, and Canada, with limited annual international testing
Exam Duration	180 mins
Number of Questions	165 (145 scored and 20 unscored)
Passing Score	55 on a scale of 25-75
Exam Price	ONS/APHON Member - $300 Nonmember - $420
Scheduling Window	90 days from issuance of the Authorization to Test (ATT)
Schedule Exam	ONCC
Trainings/Resources	2026 OCN® Test References
Sample Questions	ONCC OCN Exam Sample Questions
Recommended Practice	ONCC OCN Certification Practice Exam

ONCC OCN Exam Syllabus Topics and Weighting

Topic Areas	Topic Details, Courses, Books	Weighting
Care Continuum	- Health promotion and disease prevention (e.g., high-risk behaviors; preventive health practices, risk-reducing behaviors) - Screening and early detection - Navigation and coordination of care - Palliative care considerations - Advance care planning (e.g., advance directives, goals of care) - Epidemiology (e.g., modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors) - Survivorship Rehabilitation Recurrence concerns Family and social support concerns Sexuality concerns Discrimination concerns Delayed treatment-related considerations (e.g., delayed-onset side effects, chronic side effects,subsequent malignancies, follow-up care) - End-of-Life Care Bereavement Hospice care Caregiver support Interprofessional team Comfort measures (e.g., pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic)	14%
Oncology Nursing Practice	- Scientific basis Carcinogenesis Immunology Clinical trials (e.g., research protocols) Genomic testing (e.g., molecular testing and next generation sequencing (NGS)) Genetic testing - Site-specific cancer considerations Pathophysiology Diagnostic measures (e.g., biopsy and imaging) Common metastatic locations Staging and histological grading (e.g., prognosis, classification) Performance status - Scope and standards of professional practice Professional practice evaluation and accreditation Collaboration and communication Culturally congruent care Occupational health and safety (e.g. personal protective equipment, safe handling) Patient advocacy and ethical considerations Self-care (e.g., managing compassion fatigue, burnout, substance use) Standards of care (e.g., nursing process, documentation)	15%
Treatment Modalities	- Surgical and procedural interventions - Blood and marrow transplant - Radiation therapy - Systemic therapy (e.g., chemotherapy, biotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy) - Localized therapy (e.g., intrathecal, intravesical) - Targeted therapies (e.g. Immune cell, bispecific antibodies) - Oral therapies	20%
Symptom Management and Supportive Care	- Anatomical and surgical alterations (e.g., lymphedema, ostomy, site-specific radiation) - Vascular access devices (VADs) - Pharmacologic interventions - Complementary and integrative modalities (e.g., massage, acupuncture, herbal supplements) - Alterations in system functioning (e.g., etiology, patterns of symptoms) Hematologic Immunological Gastrointestinal Genitourinary Integumentary Respiratory Cardiovascular Neurological Musculoskeletal - Nutrition - Pain management	25%
Oncologic Emergencies	- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) - Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) - Sepsis - Tumor lysis syndrome - Hypersensitivity - Anaphylaxis - Hypercalcemia - Cardiac tamponade - Spinal cord compression - Superior vena cava syndrome - Increased intracranial pressure - Obstructions - Pneumonitis - Extravasations - Immune-related adverse events (e.g., cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS)) - Venous thromboembolism	16%
Psychosocial Dimensions of Care	- Cultural, spiritual, and religious diversity - Altered body image - Learning preferences and barriers to learning - Social and family dynamics - Coping mechanisms and skills - Support (i.e., individual support, support groups) Patient Caregivers - Psychsocial Distress Emotional and spiritual distress (e.g., anxiety, loss, grief, depression) Loss of autonomy Caregiver fatigue Crisis management (e.g., domestic violence, suicidal ideation) -Sexuality Reproductive issues (e.g., contraception, fertility) Sexual dysfunction (e.g., physical and psychological effects) Intimacy Considerations for sexual and gender minorities - Financial Concerns Employment Insurance Resources	10%

The ONCC OCN certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in Nursing Certification. The exam evaluates competencies such as adult oncology care continuum and professional practice, treatment modalities and symptom/supportive care, oncologic emergencies and psychosocial care, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as adult oncology registered nurses, oncology nursing administration and education roles, oncology nursing research and consultation roles working in settings such as hospitals and cancer centers, outpatient oncology and infusion settings, community and supportive oncology settings.

To prepare effectively for the ONCC Oncology Certified Nurse exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.