The oncology nurse practitioner predoctoral fellowship program (as a post-master’s certificate or through dual enrollment in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program) is for licensed nurse practitioners interested in providing high-quality care across the continuum in cancer care, from screening and prevention through survivorship and palliative care to patients and their families. The curriculum is based on the Oncology Nursing Society competencies and emphasizes screening, surveillance, diagnosing, staging, treatment, supportive care, and team building, equipping candidates to address the unique physiological and psychosocial needs of cancer patients across the illness span. Students engage in 540 hours of supervised direct patient care experiences in multiple hematology/oncology specialty services at a comprehensive cancer center. Candidates enrolled in Azusa Pacific’s DNP program may apply up to 500 of these hours toward that program’s residency requirement, and may petition to substitute didactic units from the specialty courses to the DNP courses. Upon completion of the fellowship, NPs are able to meet the eligibility criteria for the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) examination (Pathway 1) offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.

Prerequisites

• Master’s degree in nursing that includes advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment. Pediatric NP's are not eligible to sit for the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (OACNP) exam as an adult oncology nurse practitioner.
• Experience in oncology nursing and prefer National NP certification.
• Current California nurse practitioner license (or compliance with state authorizations for online or distance learning).

Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Units
GNRS 630A	ONP: Clinical Practicum I	4
GNRS 630B	ONP: Clinical Practicum II	4
GNRS 630C	ONP: Clinical Practicum III	4
GNRS 631	ONP: Cancer Biology and Assessment	2
GNRS 632	ONP: Cancer Therapeutics	2
GNRS 633	ONP: Symptom and Side Effect Burden	2
GNRS 634	ONP: Survivorship and the Psychosocial Impact of Cancer	2
GNRS 635	ONP: Team-Based Care and the Role of the Oncology Nurse Practitioner	2
GNRS 636	ONP: Clinical Trials in Oncology Nursing	2
Total Units		24

Admission

University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admissions Information). Program-specific application requirements are available online.

International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:

1. Articulate a Christian worldview, demonstrating respect for the dignity and uniqueness of others, valuing diversity, and applying spiritual concepts.
2. Engage in scholarly inquiry and critical thinking, including evaluation and application of research evidence to practice.
3. Appraise and apply knowledge to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that promote health and prevent disease.
4. Demonstrate thoughtful analysis of the legal, political, ethical, and/or financial factors impacting healthcare.
5. Use information systems and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, promote, quality, mitigate error and support decision making.
6. Demonstrate the ability to coordinate and collaborate with other health care team professionals.
7. Engage in clinical reasoning, effective communication, and act as a change agent to develop professional identity and practice skill.