Respecting Hazardous Drugs Protects Nurses, Patients and Eliminates Fear

A recent article on the Scrubs website, “Chemotherapy Drugs are Killing Nurses” shared important facts and concerns regarding the handling of hazardous drugs. It also highlighted the need for comprehensive education and collaboration to establish a culture of safety around the use of these drugs by building respect, not fear, for hazardous drugs in the workplace.

ONS Members Deliver Presentation at Breast Cancer Conference in Singapore

Through its international work, ONS has become known for providing quality care information and content to oncology nurses around the globe. One recent example is the Asia-Pacific Breast Cancer Summit, held in Singapore from February 26–28, 2016, where ONS was invited to create a session specific to oncology nursing for February 27. ONS members Nancy Houlihan, RN, MA, AOCN®, and Jean Rosiak, DNP, RN, AOCNP®, CBCN®, traveled to Singapore to present on a number of topics affecting oncology nursing in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. While there, they noted the similarities and differences between treatment and healthcare practices in the region.

ONS President-Elect Presents to Senate Members on Nursing Workforce

As one of the largest professions in the United States, nursing encompasses many different avenues of study and patient care. From bedside to research to education and beyond, this workforce accounts for more than 3 million RNs. On March 15, ONS president-elect, Susan Schneider, PhD, RN, AOCN®, FAAN, presented at the Nursing Community Senate Caucus in Washington, DC. The caucus provided nursing advocates a forum to relay the importance of the field of nursing to senators.

The Impact of Complex Care Needs on Nursing Education

Cancer statistics and the complex care needs of patients with cancer hold great significance for nurse educators. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 14 million Americans are living with cancer, and another 1.6 million new cancer cases are anticipated to be diagnosed in 2016. Added into this statistical mix is the high prevalence of comorbidities in the four most common cancers. Many older adults with cancer have two or more coexisting conditions and are at risk for developing others throughout survivorship care.

What Oncology Nurses Need to Know About Supporting AYAs With Cancer

Cancer diagnoses affect an estimated 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) annually, yet few cancer treatment and survivorship programs exist that specifically address their unique needs.

Imaging Tests Are Overused in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

As many as 60% of women with early-stage breast cancer may receive unnecessary imaging tests such as computed tomography, bone, and positron-emission tomography scans, researchers reported after a new study. The findings were shared during the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Care Symposium in February 2016.

FDA Approves Venetoclax for CLL

On April 11, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved venetoclax (VENCLEXTA™ tablets, marketed by AbbVie, Inc. and Genentech USA, Inc.) for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with 17p deletion, as detected by an FDA-approved test, who have received at least one prior therapy.

Supporting Nurses With Disabilities

Recently, my middle daughter and I submitted a Letter to the Editor that was published in the professional nursing journal Nurse Educator. It was in response to a paper in the journal that emphasized the need for professional nursing to embrace and implement means for nurses with disabilities to contribute to excellent patient care.

Capitol Hill Roundup: ONS Opens Office in DC, Obama Addresses Opioid Epidemic, ONS Member Appointed to Blue Ribbon Panel

Political policies, especially those concerning health care and cancer care, are constantly changing. It’s hard to stay up to date with the constant evolution of events on Capitol Hill. ONS works to make certain that oncology nurses are represented during discussions that impact their practice, as well as the whole healthcare arena. Learn more about the happenings on the Hill that potentially could impact oncology nurses.

CDC Guidelines May Limit Cancer Survivor Access to Chronic Pain Medications

Between doses of chemotherapy and radiation, while enduring needle sticks and blood draws, during oral administration of nausea-inducing drugs, patients with cancer often find themselves inundated with a number of painful symptoms associated with their litany of treatments and the disease itself. Unfortunately for many, this pain may never go away.
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