To better position ONS as an organization in the future, the ONS Board of Directors recently consulted with the Whole Mind Strategy Group, an agency that examines organizations and reports on any potential improvements back to the organization with regards to structure, efficiency, and governance. After careful review, the ONS Board of Directors translated the findings into four proposed changes to ONS’s bylaws.
ONS Member Will Serve as American Cancer Society Board Chair in 2016
Longtime ONS member Scarlott Mueller, RN, MPH, has been appointed as the new chair of the American Cancer Society (ACS) Board of Directors for 2016. In the past, she served as president-elect for the ONS Foundation and is a current and active ONS member.
New Chemo Course Offers New Option for Nurses
In the past, the only option nurses had to obtain their ONS Provider Card for chemotherapy administration was by taking the ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certificate Course exclusively. With the addition of the Chemotherapy Biotherapy: Fundamentals of Administration course, that's about to change.
ONS Congress Highlights Research Agenda
The 41st annual ONS Congress will be held in San Antonio, TX, for 2016, bringing together oncology nurses from all over the world. From April 28–May 1, oncology professionals will congregate to share their experiences, attend up-to-date research presentations, network with like-minded oncology professionals, and more.
Preventable Colorectal Cancer Death Rates Take a Large Economic Toll
Disparities in colorectal death rates take a large toll on the national economy, with the greatest burden on poorer, less well-educated communities, according to a study presented at the Eighth American Association for Cancer Research Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities.
Change Is the Name of the Game
Webster’s online dictionary defines change as “making something different,” but Webster’s online thesaurus presents a different perspective, which fits with the changes that are currently happening within the ONS governance structure. The thesaurus synonym for change is “to make radically different,” or to transform.
A New Year Brings a New Frequency to ONS Connect
Welcome to 2016! I don’t know about you, but 2015 just flew by. I can always hope 2016 moves at a more measured pace, but in our ever-evolving, high-tech society, it will probably move along even faster.
Growing Number of States Enact Right-to-Try Laws in Challenge to FDA
Investigational drug approval usually takes a long time under the rigorous testing process established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The process is meant to protect patients from possibly useless drugs or drugs that might worsen their condition while providing access for seriously ill patients, such as those with cancer, seeking investigational treatment that may be their only survival option.
Oncology Nurses Can Use Evidence to Promote Oral Adherence
Administration of chemotherapy drugs has shifted dramatically in the past 15 years from parenteral to oral administration. This change requires patients to self-manage their chemotherapy. Patients need to understand important medication administration tasks: right dose, right time, right route, and right drug.
How Can Nurses Help Patients Adhere to Their Oral Chemotherapy?
Oral chemotherapy, like IV chemotherapy, effectively helps patients fight cancer and may have similar side effects to its IV counterparts. Self-administration of oral chemotherapy may be convenient, but it is still chemotherapy and requires extra caution.