The following list of primary references identifies the resources used to develop items on the OCN® 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

American Cancer Society. (2023). Cancer facts and figures, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2023/2023-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf

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

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

Brant, J. (Ed.). (2020). Core curriculum for oncology nursing (6th ed.). Elsevier. 

Brown, C.G. (Ed.). (2015). A guide to oncology symptom management (2nd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Bush, N.J., & Gorman, L.M. (Eds.). (2018). Psychosocial nursing care along the cancer continuum (3rd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Camp-Sorrell, D., & Matey, L. (Eds.). (2017). Access device standards of practice for oncology nursing. Oncology Nursing Society. 

Christensen, D.M., & Cantril, C. (Eds.). (2020). Oncology nurse navigation: Delivering patient-centered care across the continuum (2nd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Eggert, J.A., Byar, K.L., & Parks, L.S. (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. 

Erickson, J.M., & Payne, K. (2016). Ethics in oncology nursing. Oncology Nursing Society. 
Ferrell, B.R., & Paice, J.A. (Eds.). (2019). Oxford textbook of palliative nursing (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. 

Gullatte, M.M. (Ed.). (2011). Nursing management: Principles and practice (2nd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Harding, M.M., Kwong, J., Hagler, D., & Reinisch, C. (Eds.). (2023). Lewis’s medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (12th ed.). Elsevier. 

Haylock, P.J., & Curtiss, C.P. (Eds.). (2019). Cancer survivorship: Interprofessional, patient-centered approaches to the seasons of survival. Oncology Nursing Society. 

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. 

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

Katz, A. (2018). Breaking the silence on cancer and sexuality: A handbook for healthcare providers (2nd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Kuebler, K. (Ed.). (2017). Integration of palliative care in chronic conditions: An interdisciplinary approach. Oncology Nursing Society. 

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

Mahon, S.M. (Ed.). (2018). Guide to breast care for oncology nurses. Oncology Nursing Society. 
Mahon, S.M. (2021). Understanding genomic and hereditary cancer risk: A handbook for oncology nurses. Oncology Nursing Society. 

McQuestion, M., Drapek, L., & Witt, M. (Eds.). (2021). Manual for radiation oncology nursing practice and education (5th ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Newton, S., Hickey, M., & Brant, J. (2017). Mosby’s oncology nursing advisor: A comprehensive guide to clinical practice (2nd ed.). Elsevier. 

Olsen, M., LeFebvre, K.B., Walker, S.L., & Prechtel Dunphy, E. (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. 

Parks, L., & Findlay, M.M. (Eds.). (2019). Gastrointestinal cancer care for oncology nurses. Oncology Nursing Society. 

Polovich, M., & Olsen, M.M. (Eds.). (2018). Safe handling of hazardous drugs (3rd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Potter, P.A., Perry, A.G., Stockert, P.A., Hall, A.M., Ostendorf, W.R. (2023). Fundamentals of nursing (11th ed.). Elsevier. 

Routt, M., & Parks, L. (Eds.). (2018). Critical care nursing of the oncology patient. Oncology Nursing Society. 

Schmit-Pokorny, K., & Eisenberg, S. (Eds.). (2020). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A manual for nursing practice (3rd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society. 

Vallerand, A.H., & Sanoski, C.A. (2023). Davis’s drug guide for nurses (18th ed.). F.A. Davis. 
Walker, S., & Prechtel Dunphy, E. (Eds.). (2018). Guide to cancer immunotherapy. Oncology Nursing Society. 

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