Three Mercy Oncology Nurses Achieve Specialty Certification

SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center announced that three oncology nurses at Sister Caritas Cancer Center recently passed the oncology certified nurse (OCN) examination administered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corp. (ONCC). With this achievement, Mercy’s Kellie Mclaughlin, RN, BSN; Steph Palange, RN, BSN; and Anne Behrens, ADN, RN have joined the ranks of more than 30,000 oncology certified nurses across the country.

“Kellie, Steph, and Anne are outstanding nurses who put our patients at the center of everything they do. While pursuing certification is a voluntary process, this achievement is yet another indication of their dedication to our profession,” said Cindy Leonard, infusion manager at Sister Caritas Cancer Center.

With the rapid scientific and technologic advances in cancer care, nurses must maintain current and highly specialized knowledge to provide safe, high-quality care. The OCN examination tests the mastery of knowledge and skills necessary for competent performance within the specialty of adult oncology nursing.

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corp. 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.

All fees for the oncology nursing certification were covered by the Gail L. Jennings Oncology Nursing Professional Development Fund, which was established in 2021 by Michael Jennings in memory of his wife and in gratitude for the compassionate care she received as a patient at the Sister Caritas Cancer Center. The Gail L. Jennings Oncology Nursing Professional Development Fund provides financial assistance for nurses at Sister Caritas Cancer Center who want to advance their education and training.