New certification highlights unique role of radiation oncology nurses

Radiation therapy plays a critical role for two-thirds of cancer patients during their care.

Now, for the first time, there will be a national certification that recognizes nurses who play an integral role in critical treatment: Radiation Oncology Certified Nurse (ROCN). Set to launch in 2026, the first-of-its-kind certification is a milestone in elevating oncology nurses in an often-overlooked field.

Radiation therapy is a targeted cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation, like X-rays, gamma rays or protons, to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. It takes a highly qualified team that understands its technology and complexities to administer it effectively. This team consists of physicians, nurses, therapists, physicists and more.

Historically, radiation nurses have served as an unrecognized and vital pillar in oncology. They are a group all their own, requiring specialized skills and knowledge to guide patients and their caregivers through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Not only do these nurses play an indispensable role in administering the treatment, but they also provide support, education, symptom management and care coordination for patients.

“Radiation oncology nurses have long been essential to cancer care,” said Amy Tamblyn, R.N., an experienced radiation oncology nurse at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

Tamblyn serves as the president of the Lowcountry chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society and is on the national committee that developed the guidelines for the new certification. She is already an Oncology Certified Nurse, and through her experience earning that certification, saw the need for something more specialized that focused on radiation therapy. Specialty nursing certification validates expertise, builds confidence and improves quality of care, which leads to greater patient satisfaction, she said.

"Until now, there has not been a formal way to validate or recognize these nurses’ unique knowledge and skills. This has been a long time coming for radiation oncology nurses.”

A long time coming

Cancer care has seen rapid growth in recent years, with radiation therapies leading the charge as some of the most cutting-edge treatments for this devastating disease.

“We’re in a fast-moving field,” Tamblyn said. “New technologies, new protocols – things are constantly evolving. We needed a certification to help nurses stay up to date, and, more importantly, help patients get the best possible care.”

“When a nurse has a specialty certification, it shows they’ve gone the extra mile. It builds trust. It tells patients, ‘You’re in good hands.’”

Amy Tamblyn, R.N., OCN

Despite radiation being a standard treatment for many cancers, content on it is lacking in nursing education and standards of nursing practice. Instead, radiation oncology nurses hone their expertise in real time while on the job. They say that, unfortunately, there are misconceptions about safety and side effects, even though advances in technology have only made radiation therapy safer and more precise and reduced its side effects.

The new certification aims to fill these gaps by providing formal recognition and standardizing core knowledge and competencies for radiation oncology nurses.

For Tamblyn, a member of the national certification committee and a leading voice in its development, the upcoming release is a long time coming.

“As an experienced oncology nurse, I remember coming into this specialty and discovering a lack of training resources and education,” she said. “Now, we are creating something to guide the next generation, and I could not be prouder. This is a unique specialty, and it is finally getting the attention it deserves.”

Beyond helping nurses grow professionally, the certification also signals to patients and colleagues that the person treating them has advanced, specialized training.

“When a nurse has a specialty certification, it shows they’ve gone the extra mile,” Tamblyn continued. “It builds trust. It tells patients, ‘You’re in good hands.’”

Coming soon

The certification is a product of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), the accrediting body for nurses in oncology and related specialties. Although it will not be available until 2026, nurses can begin preparing now by gaining clinical experience, seeking continuing education and checking for updates on the ONCC website.

Its content is based on input from a committee consisting of content experts like Tamblyn and other radiation oncology nurses and reflects insights from a 2023 role delineation study on radiation oncology practice. The certification is also designed to meet the diverse needs of nurses working with adult and pediatric patients across inpatient and outpatient settings.

“Our goal was to create a tool that not only enhances clinical practice but also validates the deep expertise nurses bring to the radiation setting,” Tamblyn said. “It was important that this process be educational and accessible, as well as empowering.”

To be eligible for the certification, nurses will need:

• At least two years’ experience as a radiation oncology nurse.
• 2,000 hours of radiation oncology-specific nursing practice.
• 10 contact hours in specialized continuing education.

Eligible nurses will then have a 90-day window in which to take the exam. The three-hour exam consists of 165 multiple-choice questions covering eight core subject areas. They include radiation safety and treatment modalities, symptom management and side effect monitoring, and continuum of care and survivorship. Emphasis is on real-world scenarios and patient-centered care, with a test content outline and sample test questions available online.

As the cancer care landscape continues to evolve, so does the role of oncology nurses. This certification is a crucial way to amplify their voices, expertise and impact while staying current with developments in the field. Tamblyn looks forward to the certification coming to life and being embraced by nurses, clinicians and leaders at Hollings and beyond.

“At Hollings, we’re committed to advancing cancer care through expertise and innovation and delivering the safest, most informed care for patients,” she emphasized. “This certification empowers radiation oncology nurses by giving them the tools and recognition to confidently translate their specialized knowledge into more effective care for every patient we serve.”

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