Michelle’s Place is thrilled to announce patient navigator, Jessica Young, RN, OCN, has successfully met all eligibility requirements prescribed by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), and is thereby certified in breast cancer nursing and granted permission to use the designation Certified Breast Care Nurse and the “CBCN®” credential.
As a registered nurse, Jessica found her passion in oncology nursing in 1991 and focused primarily on breast cancer since 2005. She was in the first group of oncology nurses to fulfill the requirements and take the Breast Cancer Care Nurse certification test in 2009. After moving to Temecula from Ohio, Jessica started volunteering at Michelle’s Place in 2013 and joined the staff in July 2014 as a patient navigator. Jessica has recently fulfilled the requirements to successfully renew her CBCN® for the next four years.
“Jess shares in our commitment to enhance the client experience and the delivery of quality cancer care through our patient navigation program,” said Kim Gerrish, CFRE, executive director for Michelle’s Place. “With her expertise, we look forward to further validating metrics to improve patient care, engage physicians, and deliver quality programs to those we serve in our community.”
Recognizing that the complexity of the health care system often leaves patients feeling confused, lost, or alienated, the breast health patient navigator helps patients by guiding them through the various services involved and connecting them with appropriate resources and support. The CBCN® certification is a validation of Jessica’s knowledge in breast care nursing which enhances the patient navigation program at Michelle’s Place.
There are more than 920 CBCN®-certified nurses in the nation. These registered nurses consist of staff nurses, clinicians, educators, and managers in breast care nursing. CBCN® is the only nationally accredited breast care certification that is available exclusively to registered nurses and validates the specialized knowledge necessary for breast care nursing practice.
The CBCN® Examination tests the knowledge necessary for the nurse to practice competently within the specialty of breast care nursing, from prevention/detection, to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end of life care. Breast care certification is available to nurses who have:
• a current, active, unencumbered RN licensure
• a minimum of 12 months of experience as an RN within the three years prior to application
• a minimum of 1,000 hours of breast care nursing practice within the two-and-one-half years prior to application, and
• completed a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education in the specialty of oncology nursing or an academic elective in the specialty of breast care
• The CBCN® Examination is offered at nearly 300 computer-based testing sites in North America and at selected international sites in November.
The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation develops, administers and evaluates programs for certification in oncology nursing. The mission of ONCC is to promote health and safety by validating competence and ensuring life-long learning in oncology nursing and related specialties.
Michelle’s Place is a full-service breast cancer resource center serving individuals and their families dealing with cancer in our community.