MESA COUNTY, Colo. — Katie Van Der Merwe, BSN, OCN, BMTCN, oncology nurse with Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology recently passed the Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN®) Examination administered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). There are more than 1,200 BMTCN®-certified nurses across the country but Katie is among an elite group of nurses in Colorado with this prestigious certification. These registered nurses consist of staff nurses, clinicians, educators, and managers in blood and marrow transplantation nursing.
“With the closest transplant centers being located in Denver and Salt Lake City, there are very few Bone Marrow Transplant Certified Nurses in the state so we are extremely fortunate to have Katie’s level of expertise to assist cancer patients on the Western Slope,” said Joe Gerardi, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer for Community Hospital. “Bone Marrow Transplant patients are among the most acute patients receiving cancer treatment. As our Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator, Katie has taken great ownership in the management and care of this complex patient population. She has coordinated the care of numerous transplant patients since being in this position and assists with our monthly Bone Marrow Transplant clinic with Dr. Couriel at Huntsman Cancer Institute,” added Gerardi.
The BMTCN® Examination tests the knowledge necessary for the nurse to practice competently within the specialty of blood and marrow transplantation nursing, from basic concepts and indications for transplantation, to pre-transplant care, preparative regimens and stem cell infusion, post-transplant issues, and survivorship. Blood and marrow transplant certification is available to nurses who have:
• a current, active, unencumbered RN licensure
• a minimum of 24 months of experience as an RN within the four years prior to application
• a minimum of 2,000 hours of BMT nursing practice within the four years prior to application, and
• completed a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education in the specialty of BMT.
The BMTCN® Examination is offered at nearly 300 computer-based testing sites in North America. Information about the BMTCN® Test is available at www.oncc.org.
The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation 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.
For more information about Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology, please visit GrandValleyOncology.com.
