The Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety (C-ONQS) Study Guide
A Practical Resource for Perinatal Nurses designed to support National Certification Corporation
C-ONQS exam prep and serve as an everyday quality and safety reference for perinatal practice.
Released April 2023 • Listed on the National Certification Corporation’s ONQS Registration catalog as a preparation resource since 2024
THE BOOK
A Trusted Resource for C-ONQS Prep and Perinatal Quality & Safety
The Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety (C-ONQS) Study Guide: A Practical Resource for Perinatal Nurses was released in April 2023.
This book serves as a study guide for the National Certification Corporation C-ONQS exam. It also functions as a quality and safety reference guide for labor and delivery, mother-baby, and neonatal nurses—as well as nursing faculty.
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
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Nurses preparing for the National Certification Corporation C-ONQS exam
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New and seasoned bedside nurses in L&D, mother-baby, and neonatal care
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Perinatal nurse leaders and educators
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Nursing faculty supporting perinatal quality and safety education
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Anyone looking for a clear reference guide to perinatal quality and safety concepts
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Perinatal safety nurses and quality professionals
In this guide, Jeanette Zocco, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS, takes you down hospital corridors and into patient rooms—teaching ONQS exam topics from her perspective as an experienced perinatal safety nurse.
Learn ONQS topics through real-life clinical perspective
This book brings together the topics identified in the NCC Candidate Guide in an organized, easy-to-read, concise format. Clinical examples and vignettes throughout add meaning to the content and help you apply what you’re learning to real practice.
WHAT YOU'LL GET FROM THIS GUIDE
An organized, easy-to-read review of core quality and safety concepts
Practical examples and vignettes that bring the content to life
A reference you can return to as you lead and support safety at the bedside
A strong foundation in the language, models, and tools used in quality improvement
Examples of topics reviewed include:
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Patient safety and quality improvement opportunities within the U.S.
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Review of adverse events, near misses, and errors
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Approaches to identify gaps and opportunities in care
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Safety culture
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Human factors
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Teamwork and crew resource management
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Effective handoff communication strategies
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Quality improvement models (Lean, Six Sigma, Model for Improvement)
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Data collection, display, and interpretation
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Tools to facilitate change to the bedside
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Barriers to quality and safety implementation and planning for sustainability
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Second victim experience
What Nurses Are Saying
Listed on the National Certification Corporation’s ONQS Registration catalog as a preparation resource since 2024
"As an experienced OB nurse, and later long-time OB Unit Manager, I felt I was well versed in "quality." When I transitioned into a new job focused on OB and Neonatal quality, I knew I needed to step up my game. I purchased the Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety (C-ONQS) Study Guide to help understand my new role—and then when I decided to get serious about studying for my certification, I again found her book to be everything I needed. The real-world examples brought home concepts and helped me to understand obstetrical and neonatal quality and safety at a new level. I highly recommend this book!"
Laura Warren-Hughes, MSN, RNC-OB, IBCLC, C-ONQS
"The C-ONQS Study Guide is a must have reference for all Labor and Delivery & Maternity nursing units. Not just a review for the ONQS certification… but an ongoing reference tool for anyone looking to positively improve patient safety and quality, especially perinatal safety programs, and perinatal safety nurses like myself. The patient examples the author uses add clarity and context to her comprehensive review of obstetric safety."
Jessica Bancroft-Davis, Perinatal Safety Nurse, MSN, RNC-OB, C-ONQS, C-EFM
"Thank you for sending out the very helpful weekly emails for C-ONQS prep. Not only do I find them extremely useful, but quite interesting reading as well!!! Your articles really helped me put a realistic and applicable eye on things, I can use your information in real-time. They were in depth enough to understand, yet, not so lengthy that I couldn’t read and reread in a few minutes."
Angie Wise, MSN, RNC-MNN, C-ONQS
"I have been so grateful and pleased with receiving articles from Jeanette for the last eleven months as I prepare and study for the Certification in Obstetrics and Neonatal Quality (C-ONQS) examination. During the last year I have received articles supplying information regarding every topic one would need to study as he/she gets ready for the test. I loved that the articles are short and succinct and elucidate the topics in an easy manner. So much better for me than having to study through different textbooks. I actually looked forward to getting the information every week! I just have to truly thank Jeanette for her endeavors and sharing her expertise."
Vickie Aberbook, RNC-OB, C-EFM, MSN, CNS
"I work long hours as a Director in a Hospital setting and studying at the end of the day was hard sometimes due to fatigue and decreased attention span. I read through Jeanette’s OB-Neonatal Study Guide as a supplement to my C-ONQS review course. The articles are well written, easy to digest, interesting, and they explain concepts in a way that deepens your understanding. The OB Neonatal Study Guide helped me to focus on the key points that ultimately made my test taking process less stressful. I highly recommend this study guide not only for studying for the C-ONQS exam, but also for providing bite sized education that you can share with staff nurses to increase their knowledge of OB and Neonatal quality, ethics, and risk topics and how influential they are at the front line to improve them. Thank you!!"
Deanna Starr Williams, MSN, RN, C-ONQS
"I enjoyed both the format & content of the C-ONQS Study Guide. The practical application of concepts to clinical situations is how I learn best (rather than memorizing flash cards or other tools that rely on memorization). It is well organized and user-friendly. It has also helped some of my staff prepare for the ONQS exam & a nurse who is looking to transition to a quality role. Thank you for a great study companion!"
Justine Carmody, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS, C-OBE
