The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) offers the only nationally accredited specialty nursing certification in oncology (i.e. the CON(c) designation) in Canada. CNA certification is considered the gold standard for all specialty nursing disciplines and is subject to renewal every five years to ensure knowledge and competency is maintained. Specialty nursing certification has been shown to positively impact patient, nursing, and systems-level outcomes. The Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO/ACIO) recommends in their 2015 Position Statement that oncology nurses achieve CON(c) certification by their fifth year of practice.

To recognize the personal and professional commitment that is required to qualify and prepare to write a national certification exam, BC Cancer Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation is pleased to offer the CNA Certification Award Competition in 2025. Two categories of funding are available for the Spring 2025 award competition:

  1. Initial Certification – $1,500 per award; spring 2025 funding available for up to 10 nurses. 
  2. Certification Renewal –$500 per award; spring 2025 funding available for up to 5 nurses. 

The award* can be used for initial certification or renewal in the following specialties:

  1. Oncology- CON(C)®
  2. Hospice Palliative Care- CHPCN(C)®

Important Dates

 

Eligibility

This internal competition is open to BC Cancer nurses who meet CNA's exam eligibility criteria.

Application Process

To be considered you must submit a completed application form which includes:

  1. A cover letter identifying how CNA certification will advance your nursing practice and support you to engage in knowledge translation activities and research at the point of care
  2. Commitment to one of the following:
    1. Submit a testimonial on your experience in achieving certification for future use by this department to promote CNA certification.
    2. Become an internal certification champion which could be demonstrated by:
      • Sharing your experience at an upcoming learning collaborative session
      • Sponsoring or endorsing a colleague to write for CNA certification
      • Becoming a CNA mentor to support your colleagues in achieving certification

Intake for the Spring 2025 competition is now open!

CNA Fund Competition Letter_2025_Spring Application.pdf

Submit your application to research.kt@bccancer.bc.ca by 4 pm, Friday, February 14th, 2025 for the spring award competition. Late applications will not be considered.

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