Supporting the Chapter Model Transition Remains Key Focus for ONS Board
By Diane Barber, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, AOCNP®
During the ONS Board of Directors monthly meeting by conference call in September 2018, supporting ONS chapters through the model transition continued to top the agenda.
The Board discussed findings from a survey of chapter leaders earlier in September that gauged the chapters’ readiness to transition to the new model. Overall, 73% of respondents said that ONS provided them with the necessary resources and information for the transition, and 63% said they are ready to meet the new model’s requirements. In response to a question asking about additional resources or needs for the transition, chapter leaders identified two barriers:
- Needing extra time to complete the transition
- Being ready for the transition but lacking members to step into leadership roles
The ONS Board recommended that staff continue to provide chapters with assistance and guidance as they complete the transition.
Collaborations and Partnerships
By working together with other associations and groups with similar goals, ONS can more quickly advance important areas of cancer care. The Board was given an update on a meeting with the American Association of Cancer Research during which survivorship was identified as a mutual area of interest for 2019. Other actions discussed included strategies to support oncology nurse scientists and clinical trials nurses. Two meetings planned for this fall are:
Volunteer and staff leadership from ONS and the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses will develop collaborative priorities that support the clinical practice of members.
ONS will have an introductory meeting with the president of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (NPs). This is a suggested action from the ONS NP Summit to address NPs’ unmet educational needs.