News

Beebe Medical Center Nurses Earn Oncology Certifications

12/29/08

Two nurses at Beebe Medical Center have earned certifications in the field of oncology nursing. Another nurse has earned an advanced certification in oncology nursing. Together these three honors reflect Beebe Medical Center's, and Tunnell Cancer Center's focus on offering quality care to the community.

Nancy Jean Burd, RN, and Debbie Crowell, RN, OCN, have earned their Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN), validating their knowledge and skills in working with cancer patients. Isabel Benson, NP-C, AOCNP, a nurse practitioner specialized in cancer care, has earned her advanced certification in oncology nursing (AOCNP). All three cancer care professionals work at Tunnell Cancer Center.

Crowell has been a registered nurse at Beebe Medical Center since she graduated from the Beebe School of Nursing in 1999. She first worked with surgery patients on the second floor until 2001 when she joined Tunnell Cancer Center. She presently cares for medical oncology and radiation oncology patients.

Burd has 15 years experience as a registered nurse. She joined Beebe Medical Center more than eight years ago, working first in the hospital's vascular unit where she cared for surgical patients. Four years ago she joined Tunnell Cancer Center and works primarily in the Infusion Center with patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Ms. Benson is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and works with the three medical oncologists to provide follow-up care visits throughout patient treatment. She also sees patients who need immediate attention for acute problems associated with their treatments, and manages the clinical trials program in conjunction with research nurses Donna Miskin, RN, OCN, and Kari Souder, RN, OCN, who enroll and follow patients on clinical trials.

Ms. Benson joined Tunnell Cancer Center in 1997 as a certified oncology nurse and was promoted to Nurse Manager in 2001. In 2007 she became a Nurse Practitioner after completing her Master's Degree in Nursing and her nurse practitioner education at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and passed the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Boards in Adult Care. A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse who provides high-quality healthcare services and can diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems.

A percentage of nurses at the Tunnell Cancer Center must achieve and maintain certification through The Oncology Nursing Society in order for it to maintain its current comprehensive ranking through The American College of Surgeons. Eleven of the Center's 23 nurses hold this specialized and additional certification and several more are preparing to take the exam in 2009. There are a number of eligibility requirements, including oncology experience, that must be met before qualifying to register for the examination.

Certification demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of oncology, which enhances the quality of care we can provide to our patients, said Cherrie Rich, Director of Oncology Services for Beebe Medical Center. Our goal is to see all of our nurses attain OCN certification, and we are very proud of those who are taking on the rigorous training to earn this certification.

Tunnell Cancer Center was established in 1995. It has received the Commission on Cancer's highest accreditation with commendation as a comprehensive community cancer center. Its clinical specialties are Medical oncology/hematology and radiation oncology. Nearly 200 patients visit the center each day.

Caption1: Isabel Benson, NP-C, AOCNP, a nurse practitioner specialized in cancer care at Tunnell Cancer Center, has earned her advanced certification in oncology nursing (AOCNP).

Caption2: Debbie Crowell, RN, OCN, left, and Nancy Jean Burd, RN, of Tunnell Cancer Center, have earned their Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN), validating their knowledge and skills in working with cancer patients.


Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org.