FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dottie Roberts, Executive Director
ONCB
888.561.6622
Chicago, IL (November 13, 2017)
ONCB Adopts Revised Requirements for Recertification
Directors of the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) are pleased to announce the adoption of revised requirements for recertification of orthopaedic-certified nurses effective January 1, 2018. Based on current best practices in the specialty nursing certification industry, the revised requirements reflect the holistic nature of care provided by registered nurses for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
The number of required contact hours of continuing education has been modestly decreased. More importantly, the total reflects the balance of orthopaedic knowledge and general nursing knowledge required to care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions and other health concerns. “Our certificants routinely care for patients with musculoskeletal concerns as well as co-morbid conditions such as diabetes or heart failure. Postoperatively, those patients are at risk for problems in other health systems,” noted ONCB Executive Director Dottie Roberts, EdD, MSN, MACI, RN, OCNS-C, CMSRN, CNE. “ONCB’s recertification requirements now contribute more fully to our certificants’ continuing competence in all practice areas.”
“In addition,” Dr. Roberts noted, “the revised requirements help make recertification more cost effective. ONCB has made an important decision that balances certificants’ competence with their resources.”
Nurses holding the ONC credential will need 75 contact hours of continuing education to recertify. Nurse practitioners (ONP-C) and clinical nurse specialists (OCNS-C) will need 100 contact hours to recertify. More specific information about recertification options and requirements is available on the ONCB web site (www.oncb.org).
###
The Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) offers the only certification examinations for registered nurses in orthopaedic practice in the United States. The mission of ONCB is to improve musculoskeletal health by providing nurses with certifications that promote their professional development and advance the practice of orthopaedic nursing. Currently, over 7000 registered nurses hold the board’s three credentials: Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC®), Orthopaedic Clinical Nurse Specialist Certified (OCNS-C®), and Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner Certified (ONP-C®). A volunteer board of 12 members, including a consumer representative, provides strategic direction for orthopaedic nursing certification examination development and maintenance activities.
For further information about ONCB, visit www.oncb.org or email Dottie Roberts, EdD, MSN, MACI, RN, OCNS-C®, CMRN, CNE, Executive Director, at oncb@oncb.org.
330 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 2000 ~ Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 888.561.6622 ~ Fax: 312-673-6971 ~ Email: oncb@oncb.org
www.oncb.org