Orthopaedic Nursing Certification Board
ONCB Connection – November 2025
Certificant Spotlight
The Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) is pleased to announce that the following individuals have achieved the ONC® certification in October 2025.
ONC®
- Jakelin Abrego
- Lily Abston
- Tiffany Bookwalter
- Monika Ciepiela
- Crystal Collins
- Lannhu Dang
- Dyllan Flajnik
- Christine Griffaw
- Kyle Hazlett
- Olufunmilola Idowu
- Julia Longo
- Esmeralda Martinez
- Jacqueline Morgan
- Pamela Murray
- Jeffrey Peeler
- Glenda Reilly
- Katelyn Sander
- Alissa Sealby
- Amy Tetreault
- Pa Yia Thompson
- Miriela Valdes
- Dana Wood
- Zhiruo Yu
Apply Now for One of ONCB’s Scholarships
- Exam and Recertification Scholarships: This scholarship encourages nurses to seek and retain their certification in othopaedics. If you are planning to test or recertify in 2026, consider applying for this scholarship by December 31, 2025.
- ONCB Dottie Roberts Excellence in Certification Scholarship: In 2020, Dottie Roberts retired as Executive Director of ONCB. Dottie’s vast knowledge and dedicated service exemplify excellence in all facets of certification. Dottie held the orthopaedic certification credential since 1995, so this scholarship celebrates and promotes continued commitment to recertification. Eligible recipients must be recertifying for at least the second time. The scholarship recipient will receive a free recertification. If you are planning to recertify in 2026, consider applying for this scholarship by December 31, 2025.
Additional details and links to the online scholarship applications can be found on the ONCB scholarship webpage.
Retest for Success: The Program for ONCB Exam Candidates
Through ONCB’s program “Retest for Success,” hundreds of RNs have benefited from the opportunity to decrease stress as they pursue valued orthopaedic nursing certification. Hospitals and other healthcare employers can participate by completing a no-cost 1-year contract. Each facility pledges a minimum of three candidates to test in the years’ time. Any RN or NP who does not pass on the first attempt will receive a free second exam at no cost. In addition, all candidates receive a free online practice exam to jumpstart their prep.
ONC-A
ONCB is accepting applications for the ONC-A advanced certification by portfolio! Candidates for ONCB’s advanced orthopaedic certification (ONC-A™) by portfolio assessment must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Have three full years of experience practicing as a registered nurse (RN)
- Hold a Master’s degree or higher in nursing OR related discipline with direct involvement in musculoskeletal health
- While entry-level education may have been completed in a foreign nursing program, candidates are not eligible to apply for ONCB’s advanced orthopaedic certification through portfolio assessment if they earned their graduate degrees abroad.
- Have a minimum of 2500 hours of nursing work experience in musculoskeletal health since completing the graduate degree, or within the last 3 years if degree completion was more than 3 years ago. This experience may be in direct care or in a support role
- Hold a current, full, and unrestricted license as an RN in the United States or its possessions
View the ONCB website for additional information on eligibility requirements and the application process for ONCB’s advanced certification by portfolio.
Follow ONCB on LinkedIn
Stay in touch with ONCB though LinkedIn…find them as “Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board.” Regular postings including testing and recertification tips, as well as general news items from ONCB.
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