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Tunnell nurse Michelle Shores earns oncology certification

November 19, 2012

Michelle Shores, RN, OCN, a nurse at Beebe Medical Center’s Tunnell Cancer Center, has earned her oncology nursing certification, validating her knowledge and skills in working with cancer patients. This accomplishment also reflects her focus on offering quality care to the patients at Tunnell Cancer Center.

Shores, a native of New Castle, moved to Lewes in 2006 and took a position as a certified nursing assistant at Beebe Medical Center. In 2007, she attended the Beebe School of Nursing, now the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing. In 2008, she did an externship at Tunnell Cancer Center.  She graduated from the nursing school in 2009 and passed her boards to become a registered nurse. She then accepted a position at Tunnell Cancer Center. Since then, Shores has filled many nursing roles there, working in several areas, including radiation oncology, the infusion center and triage.

Currently, 44 percent, or 17 of 39 nurses working at Tunnell Cancer Center, have earned the oncology nurse certification. Of the clinical nurses, more than half have earned the designation.

“We are extremely proud of those who are taking on the rigorous training to earn this certification,” says Cherrie Rich, director of Oncology Services for Beebe Medical Center. "It demonstrates their commitment to our patients, as well as to attaining an in-depth knowledge of oncology, which enhances the quality of care we can provide. Our ultimate goal would be for all of our nurses to have OCN certification.”

Tunnell Cancer Center was established in 1995. It has received the Commission on Cancer's highest accreditation with commendation as a comprehensive community cancer center. Its clinical specialties are medical oncology/hematology and radiation oncology. It also offers a multidisciplinary approach to cancer surgery. Nearly 300 patients visit the center each day.

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness and restore optimal health with the people residing, working or visiting in the communities it serves. For more information, go to www.beebemed.org.

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