Oncology Nurse Navigator Competencies and Certification Review

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering core oncology nurse navigator (ONN) competencies, professional certification organizations, barrier mitigation, and research methodology.

Academy of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators (AONN+)

A professional organization incorporated in 2009 through which navigators can obtain navigator-specific certification.

Coordination Competency Category (ONN)

An oncology nurse navigation competency category that includes facilitating timely scheduling of appointments, diagnostic testing, and procedures to expedite the plan of care and promote continuity of care.

Transportation Barrier to Care

A logistical obstacle to receiving care, such as vehicle breakdown or lack of transit to scheduled immunotherapy or treatment visits, that nurse navigators must work to mitigate for cancer patients.

Standardized Instruments in Navigation Research

Tools used in prospective studies to gather data and measure outcomes, recognized as the most appropriate way to overcome limitations when evaluating the effectiveness of nurse navigator programs.

ONN Competency Categories

The four core competency groupings established for oncology nurse navigators, encompassing areas such as coordination, education and informed decision-making, barrier mitigation, and quality improvement.