Abstract
A clinical nurse leader (CNL) project was conducted, in a medical-surgical oncology unit in a community-based hospital, to evaluate and improve upon the decreasing number of chemotherapy certified nurses. A Likert survey of the nurses provided a self-assessment of competency in handling chemotherapy patients, and perceived barriers to achieving chemotherapy certification. The surveys revealed that nurses felt fearful of exposure to hazardous medications, that chemotherapy assignments were too stressful, and that there was minimal chemotherapy competency amongst leadership. An education program was implemented, covering proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling, practicing resilience to mitigate stress, and pathways to certification. 73% of nurses on the unit attended the class, and all scored greater than 90% on the post-test. All charge nurses, and the manager, agreed to take the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) chemotherapy certification class. One nurse became certified during the project, and five nurses declared their intent to certify. As a result of this project, the unit has slated future oncology education, mentorship for inpatient oncology nurses, updating of related policies and procedures, and development of a chemotherapy administration checklist. This project will improve care for those with cancer by supporting nursing practice and competency.
","abstract_html":"<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p> A clinical nurse leader (CNL) project was conducted, in a medical-surgical oncology unit in a community-based hospital, to evaluate and improve upon the decreasing number of chemotherapy certified nurses. A Likert survey of the nurses provided a self-assessment of competency in handling chemotherapy patients, and perceived barriers to achieving chemotherapy certification. The surveys revealed that nurses felt fearful of exposure to hazardous medications, that chemotherapy assignments were too stressful, and that there was minimal chemotherapy competency amongst leadership. An education program was implemented, covering proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling, practicing resilience to mitigate stress, and pathways to certification. 73% of nurses on the unit attended the class, and all scored greater than 90% on the post-test. All charge nurses, and the manager, agreed to take the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) chemotherapy certification class. One nurse became certified during the project, and five nurses declared their intent to certify. As a result of this project, the unit has slated future oncology education, mentorship for inpatient oncology nurses, updating of related policies and procedures, and development of a chemotherapy administration checklist. This project will improve care for those with cancer by supporting nursing practice and competency. <strong></strong></p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Kellen, Shari Lee, RN, OCN, ONN"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)","degree_level":"Project/Capstone - Global access","degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Susan Mortell, DNP, RN, CNL","Carlee Balzaretti, DNP, FNP-BC, CNL","Elena Capella, EdD, MSN, MPA, RN, CNL, CPHQ, LNCC"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2017,"date_issued":"2017-08-14T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2017-08-14T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:44:00Z","subjects":["chemotherapy certification","oncology nursing","nursing education","professional development","oncology certification","safe handling hazardous drugs","Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching","Medicine and Health Sciences","Nursing","Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing","Other Education","Other Teacher Education and Professional Development"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/620","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Susan Mortell, DNP, RN, CNL","Carlee Balzaretti, DNP, FNP-BC, CNL","Elena Capella, EdD, MSN, MPA, RN, CNL, CPHQ, LNCC"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Kellen, Shari Lee, RN, OCN, ONN"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2017-08-14T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Project/Capstone - Global access"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["chemotherapy certification","oncology nursing","nursing education","professional development","oncology certification","safe handling hazardous drugs","Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching","Medicine and Health Sciences","Nursing","Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing","Other Education","Other Teacher Education and Professional Development"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/620"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Abstract
A clinical nurse leader (CNL) project was conducted, in a medical-surgical oncology unit in a community-based hospital, to evaluate and improve upon the decreasing number of chemotherapy certified nurses. A Likert survey of the nurses provided a self-assessment of competency in handling chemotherapy patients, and perceived barriers to achieving chemotherapy certification. The surveys revealed that nurses felt fearful of exposure to hazardous medications, that chemotherapy assignments were too stressful, and that there was minimal chemotherapy competency amongst leadership. An education program was implemented, covering proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling, practicing resilience to mitigate stress, and pathways to certification. 73% of nurses on the unit attended the class, and all scored greater than 90% on the post-test. All charge nurses, and the manager, agreed to take the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) chemotherapy certification class. One nurse became certified during the project, and five nurses declared their intent to certify. As a result of this project, the unit has slated future oncology education, mentorship for inpatient oncology nurses, updating of related policies and procedures, and development of a chemotherapy administration checklist. This project will improve care for those with cancer by supporting nursing practice and competency.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Clearing the Pathway to Chemotherapy Certification for Inpatient Nurses"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Susan Mortell, DNP, RN, CNL","Carlee Balzaretti, DNP, FNP-BC, CNL","Elena Capella, EdD, MSN, MPA, RN, CNL, CPHQ, LNCC"],"dc:creator":["Kellen, Shari Lee, RN, OCN, ONN"],"dc:date.available":["2017-08-14T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["Abstract
A clinical nurse leader (CNL) project was conducted, in a medical-surgical oncology unit in a community-based hospital, to evaluate and improve upon the decreasing number of chemotherapy certified nurses. A Likert survey of the nurses provided a self-assessment of competency in handling chemotherapy patients, and perceived barriers to achieving chemotherapy certification. The surveys revealed that nurses felt fearful of exposure to hazardous medications, that chemotherapy assignments were too stressful, and that there was minimal chemotherapy competency amongst leadership. An education program was implemented, covering proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling, practicing resilience to mitigate stress, and pathways to certification. 73% of nurses on the unit attended the class, and all scored greater than 90% on the post-test. All charge nurses, and the manager, agreed to take the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) chemotherapy certification class. One nurse became certified during the project, and five nurses declared their intent to certify. As a result of this project, the unit has slated future oncology education, mentorship for inpatient oncology nurses, updating of related policies and procedures, and development of a chemotherapy administration checklist. This project will improve care for those with cancer by supporting nursing practice and competency.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/620"],"dc:subject":["chemotherapy certification","oncology nursing","nursing education","professional development","oncology certification","safe handling hazardous drugs","Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching","Medicine and Health Sciences","Nursing","Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing","Other Education","Other Teacher Education and Professional Development"],"dc:title":["Clearing the Pathway to Chemotherapy Certification for Inpatient Nurses"],"thesis:degree_level":["Project/Capstone - Global access"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:44:00Z"}