Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1539852
21 NURSING SPOTLIGHT 1st-of-its-kind nurse certification to launch 2026 By Mariah Taylor A first-of-its-kind national certification is set to launch in 2026: radiation oncology certified nurse. The certification was developed by Oncology Nursing Certification Corp., the accrediting body for nurses in oncology and related specialties, along with radiation oncology nurses from Charleston-based Medical University of South Carolina and other systems. In addition to encouraging professional development, the certification also aims to elevate oncology nurses in an "often-overlooked field," according to a July 30 report from MUSC. Radiation therapy plays a critical role in two-thirds of cancer patient care and involves using high-energy radiation, like X-rays, gamma rays or protons, to destroy cancer cells. Historically, radiation nurses have served as "unrecognized and vital pillars in oncology," the report said. The new certification aims to fill a gap in formal recognition and standardize core knowledge and competencies for this nurse speciality. To be eligible for the certification, nurses must have at least two years of experience as a radiation oncology nurse, 2,000 hours of radiation oncology-specific nursing practice, 10 contact hours in specialized continuing education and pass a final exam. n States with the most, fewest licensed nurses By Mariah Taylor T he National Council of State Boards of Nursing found Washington, D.C., has the most licensed nurses per capita, while Utah is the state with the fewest. e organization created a comprehensive course of nursing licensure statistics in the U.S. and its territories. e data was compiled using the NCSBN's database and Nursys, an electronic information system, whenever regulatory bodies entered licensure data. Of the council's 58 members, 57 shared licensure data. e data included 6,870,362 registered and practical nurse licenses. e data found Wyoming and Vermont had the fewest licensed nurses in their states overall, at 9,440 and 12,957, respectively. Meanwhile, California and Texas had the most licensed nurses at 578,043 and 526,812, respectively. Becker's used 2024 Census data to calculate how many nurses are in each state per 100,000 population. Here are the 10 with the most and fewest nurses. Most 1. District of Columbia — 7,056.03 2. New York — 2,975.79 3. Alaska — 2,955.82 4. Minnesota — 2,706.14 5. Massachusetts — 2,621.15 6. Connecticut — 2,582.89 7. North Dakota — 2,568.64 8. Montana — 2,476.54 9. Ohio — 2,464.33 10. Delaware – 2,447.63 Fewest 1. Utah — 1,377.44 2. California — 1,465.95 3. Louisiana — 1,480.92 4. Washington — 1,496.81 5. Georgia — 1,563.81 6. Wyoming — 1,606.49 7. Maryland — 1,638.90 8. Arizona — 1,650.34 9. Texas — 1,683.60 10. Virginia — 1,698.94 n