The following list of primary references identifies the resources used to develop items on the AOCNP® test. ONCC examinations are based on a broad body of knowledge and not on the content of any single resource.

To prepare for the examination, review the Test Content Outline and develop a study plan based on your individual knowledge strengths and weaknesses. It is good practice to use a current, general resource for overall review, and supplement with resources on specific topics to address your individual needs. If you are interested in resources that address specific topics on the Test Content Outline, please contact the ONCC staff for additional guidance.

Note: Use of these resources does not guarantee a passing score on the examination. Test candidates are not required to purchase or review these resources. ONCC does not endorse specific resources, and does not receive compensation from the sale or use of any resources.  

Primary Test References

Baldwin, C., Coleman, C., & Garzo Saria, M. (Eds.). (2023). Advanced oncology nursing certification review and resource manual (3rd Ed.). Oncology Nursing Society.  

Bastable, S.B. (2023). Nurse as educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice (6th ed.). Jones and Bartlett Learning. 

Berman, A., Snyder, S., & Frandsen, G. (2021). Kozier and Erb’s fundamentals of nursing (11th ed.). Pearson. 

Bland, K.I., Klimberg, V.S., Copeland, E.M., & Grandishar, W.J. (Eds.). (2018). The breast comprehensive management of benign and malignant disease (5th ed.). Elsevier. 

Camp-Sorrell, D., Hawkins, R.A., & Cope, D.G. (Eds.). (2022). Clinical manual for the oncology advanced practice nurse (4th ed.). Oncology Nursing Society.  

Coble Voss, A., Williams, V. (Eds.). (2021). Oncology nutrition for clinical practice. (2nd ed.). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

DeVita, V.T., Lawrence, T.S., & Rosenberg, S.A. (Eds.). (2019). Cancer: Principles and practice of oncology (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.  

Eggert, J., Byar, K., & Parks, L. (Eds.). (2022). Cancer basics (3rd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society.  

Ellis, C. (2018). Brunner and Suddarth’s handbook of laboratory and diagnostic tests (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. 

Ferrell, B.R., & Paice, J.A. (Eds.). (2019). Oxford textbook of palliative nursing (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. 

Halter, M.J. (Ed.). (2022). Varcarolis’ foundations of psychiatric-mental health nursing: A clinical approach (9th ed.). Elsevier Saunders.   

Harding, M.M., Kwong, J., Roberts, D. Hagler, D., & Reinisch, C. (Eds.). (2020). Lewis’s medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (11th ed.). Elsevier.  

Hickey, M. & Newton, S. (Eds.). (2019). Telephone triage for oncology nurses (3rd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Hinkle, J.L., Cheever, K.H., & Overbaugh, K.J. (2022). Brunner and Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing (15th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.  

Ignatavicius, D.D., Workman, M.L., & Rebar, C., Heimgartner, N.M. (Eds.). (2021). Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts for interprofessional collaborative care (10th ed.). Elsevier Saunders. 

Kaplan, M. (Ed.). (2018). Understanding and managing oncologic emergencies: A resource for nurses (3rd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Keuroghilan, A.S., Potter, J., & Reisner,S.L. (2021). Transgender and gender diverse health care: The fenway guide. McGraw Hill. 

Lubejko, B., & Wilson, B. (2019). Oncology nursing: Scope and standards of practice. Oncology Nursing Society. 

Mahon, S.M. (2021). Understanding genomic and hereditary cancer risk: A handbook for oncology nurses. Oncology Nursing Society.

Newton, S., Hickey, M., & Brant, J. (2023). Mosby’s oncology nursing advisor: A comprehensive guide to clinical practice (3rd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. 

Olsen, M., LeFebvre, K., Walker, S.L., & Dunphy, E.P.  (Eds.). (2023). Chemotherapy and immunotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (2nd Ed.). Oncology Nursing Society.

Pagana, K.D., Pagana, T.J., & Pagana, T.N. (2022). Mosby’s manual of diagnostic and laboratory tests (7th ed.). Elsevier.   

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2021). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. 

Tepper, J., Foote, R., & Michalski, J. (Eds.). (2021). Gunderson and Tepper’sClinical radiation oncology (5th ed.). Elsevier.  

U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2024). Medicare benefit policy manual: Chapter 9: Coverage of hospice services under hospital insurance. https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/bp102c09.pdf 

Vallerand, A.H., & Sanoski, C.A. (2025). Davis’s drug guide for nurses (19th ed.). F.A. Davis Company.  

Wilkes, G.M., & Barton-Burke, M. (2020). 2020-2021 oncology nursing drug handbook. Jones and Bartlett Learning.  

Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Jones and Bartlett Learning.