Oncology Nursing Society
Encyclopedia
The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a nonprofit membership organization
of more than 37,000 registered nurses and other healthcare providers dedicated to excellence in patient care, education, research, and administration in oncology nursing
.
ONS traces its origin to the first National Cancer Nursing Research Conference, supported by the American Nurses Association
and the American Cancer Society
in 1973. Following this conference, a small group of oncology nurses met to discuss the need for a national organization to support their profession. Since its official incorporation in 1975, ONS has become a leader in cancer care. It has grown to include 231 chapters and 27 special interest groups. It provides information and education to nurses around the world. In addition, the society plays an active role in advocacy
activities at the local, state, national, and international levels.
ONS members are a diverse group of professionals who represent a variety of professional roles, practice settings, and subspecialty practice areas. Registered nurses, including staff nurses, advanced practice nurses, case managers, educators, researchers, and consultants, and other healthcare professionals, are eligible for membership. The society offers information and resources for nurses at all levels, in all practice settings, and in all subspecialties.
is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.
ONS’s vision is to lead the transformation
of cancer care.
ONS’s core values are
ONS’s strategic plan for 2009–2012 focuses on three areas.
on Accreditation. ONS is also accredited as a provider of continuing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #2850.
ONS offers online and in-person education for oncology nurses to stay current on the latest cancer treatments and symptom management techniques. The society also holds one biennial and three annual national conferences.
Called “Putting Evidence Into Practice” or PEP, the resources are available for the following topics.
activities, both individually and as part of large coalitions and consensus communities. It advocates to ensure that nursing, and especially oncology nursing, has a seat at the table and a voice in legislation affecting patients with cancer or oncology nurses.
For example, ONS signed on to the nursing consensus statement to improve patients’ access to, cost, and quality of treatment as part of the 2010 healthcare reform. It also advocated with the nursing community for nursing provisions to be included as part of the healthcare reform bills.
and as the bill sponsors, ONS introduced the Assuring and Improving Cancer Treatment Education and Cancer Symptom Act (H.R. 1927) to the House of Representatives
in 2009. The legislation would provide for Medicare
reimbursement of the time that registered nurses spend educating people diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers about their disease and the effects of treatment. The bill will be reintroduced in the 112th U.S. Congress
.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
of more than 37,000 registered nurses and other healthcare providers dedicated to excellence in patient care, education, research, and administration in oncology nursing
Oncology nursing
-Certification in the United States:The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation offers several different options for board certification in oncology nursing...
.
ONS traces its origin to the first National Cancer Nursing Research Conference, supported by the American Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association is a professional organization to advance and protect the profession of nursing. It started in 1896 as the Nurses Associated Alumnae and was renamed the American Nurses Association in 1911...
and the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
in 1973. Following this conference, a small group of oncology nurses met to discuss the need for a national organization to support their profession. Since its official incorporation in 1975, ONS has become a leader in cancer care. It has grown to include 231 chapters and 27 special interest groups. It provides information and education to nurses around the world. In addition, the society plays an active role in advocacy
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
activities at the local, state, national, and international levels.
ONS members are a diverse group of professionals who represent a variety of professional roles, practice settings, and subspecialty practice areas. Registered nurses, including staff nurses, advanced practice nurses, case managers, educators, researchers, and consultants, and other healthcare professionals, are eligible for membership. The society offers information and resources for nurses at all levels, in all practice settings, and in all subspecialties.
Mission, vision, core values, and strategic plan
ONS’s missionGoal
A goal is an objective, or a projected computation of affairs, that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve.Goal, GOAL or G.O.A.L may also refer to:Sport...
is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.
ONS’s vision is to lead the transformation
Transformation
-Mathematics:* Transformation * Transformation * Integral transform* Data transformation * Transformation matrix-Natural science:* Phase transformation, a physical transition from one medium to another...
of cancer care.
ONS’s core values are
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Stewardship
- Advocacy
- Excellence
- Inclusiveness.
ONS’s strategic plan for 2009–2012 focuses on three areas.
- AdvocacyAdvocacyAdvocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
: Within cancer care, ONS advocates for (a) an influential voice for oncology nursing, (b) reimbursement for cancer services, (c) access to cancer care and clinical trials, (d) elimination of health disparities, and (e) prevention of tobacco use. Within the nursing profession, ONS advocates for the nursing shortageNursing shortageNursing shortage refers to a situation where the demand for nursing professionals, such as Registered Nurses , exceeds the supply, either locally , nationally or globally...
and nursing practice issues. - KnowledgeKnowledgeKnowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
: Within cancer care, ONS educates its members, other healthcare practitioners, and the public on (a) biology and cancer, (b) survivorship, and (c) emerging trends in diagnosis and treatment. Within the nursing profession, ONS uses the knowledge of experienced members and staff to (a) prepare the nursing workforce for the future, (b) introduce new specialty education models, (c) provide for faculty development, (d) educate non-oncology nurses, and (e) generate and apply oncology nursing research. - PartnershipPartnershipA partnership is an arrangement where parties agree to cooperate to advance their mutual interests.Since humans are social beings, partnerships between individuals, businesses, interest-based organizations, schools, governments, and varied combinations thereof, have always been and remain commonplace...
: ONS’s cancer care partnerships are driven by advocacy and focus on what knowledge partnerships can bring. For the nursing profession, ONS develops partnerships with schools of nursing, advanced practice nursing professional societies, and the international community.
Nursing education
ONS is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s CommissionAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center , a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association , is a certification body for nursing board certification and the largest certification body for advanced practice registered nurses in the United States , currently certifying over 75,000 APRNs...
on Accreditation. ONS is also accredited as a provider of continuing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #2850.
ONS offers online and in-person education for oncology nurses to stay current on the latest cancer treatments and symptom management techniques. The society also holds one biennial and three annual national conferences.
- Congress (held every spring)
- Institutes of Learning (held every November)
- Advanced Practice Nursing Conference (held every November)
- Conference on Cancer Nursing Research (held every other February)
Putting Evidence Into Practice
In 2006, ONS project teams first began releasing recommendations based on synthesized evidence in research literature for a variety of nursing interventions for various side effects of cancer and its treatment. By ranking each intervention according to the quality of research support, ONS created quick-reference, evidence-based resources for healthcare professionals to easily identify treatments that either are “recommended for practice,” are “likely to be effective,” have “benefits balanced with harm,” whose “effectiveness is not established,” whose “effectiveness is unlikely,” or are “not recommended for practice.”Called “Putting Evidence Into Practice” or PEP, the resources are available for the following topics.
- AnorexiaAnorexia (symptom)Anorexia is the decreased sensation of appetite...
- AnxietyAnxietyAnxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. The root meaning of the word anxiety is 'to vex or trouble'; in either presence or absence of psychological stress, anxiety can create feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness,...
- Caregiver strain and burdenCaregiver syndromeCaregiver syndrome or caregiver stress is a condition of exhaustion, anger, rage, or guilt that results from unrelieved caring for a chronically ill dependent. The term is often used by health care professionals, but it is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.The...
- ConstipationConstipationConstipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation...
- Depression
- DiarrheaDiarrheaDiarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
- DyspneaDyspneaDyspnea , shortness of breath , or air hunger, is the subjective symptom of breathlessness.It is a normal symptom of heavy exertion but becomes pathological if it occurs in unexpected situations...
- Fatigue
- LymphedemaLymphedemaLymphedema , also known as lymphatic obstruction, is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system....
- MucositisMucositisMucositis is the painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, usually as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer. Mucositis can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, but oral mucositis refers to the particular...
- Nausea and vomiting
- PainPainPain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...
- Peripheral neuropathyPeripheral neuropathyPeripheral neuropathy is the term for damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of or trauma to the nerve or the side-effects of systemic illness....
- Prevention of bleedingBleedingBleeding, technically known as hemorrhaging or haemorrhaging is the loss of blood or blood escape from the circulatory system...
- Prevention of infectionInfectionAn infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
- Sleep/wake disturbancesSleep disorderA sleep disorder, or somnipathy, is a medical disorder of the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders are serious enough to interfere with normal physical, mental and emotional functioning...
Publications
Advocacy
ONS participates in a variety of advocacyAdvocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
activities, both individually and as part of large coalitions and consensus communities. It advocates to ensure that nursing, and especially oncology nursing, has a seat at the table and a voice in legislation affecting patients with cancer or oncology nurses.
For example, ONS signed on to the nursing consensus statement to improve patients’ access to, cost, and quality of treatment as part of the 2010 healthcare reform. It also advocated with the nursing community for nursing provisions to be included as part of the healthcare reform bills.
Cancer Patient Treatment Education Bill
With Representatives Steve IsraelSteve Israel
Steve J. Israel is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located on Long Island and includes the towns of Huntington, Babylon, Islip, and Smithtown in Suffolk County, part of the town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, and the...
and as the bill sponsors, ONS introduced the Assuring and Improving Cancer Treatment Education and Cancer Symptom Act (H.R. 1927) to the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 2009. The legislation would provide for Medicare
Medicare (United States)
Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...
reimbursement of the time that registered nurses spend educating people diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers about their disease and the effects of treatment. The bill will be reintroduced in the 112th U.S. Congress
112th United States Congress
The One Hundred Twelfth United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and will end on January...
.
See also
- ONS FoundationONS FoundationThe ONS Foundation is a national nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization in the United States, established on November 27, 1981, by the Oncology Nursing Society. The Pittsburgh-based organization is dedicated to sustaining and advancing oncology nursing and funded by corporate and private...
- Oncology Nursing Certification CorporationOncology Nursing Certification CorporationThe Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation was established for the development, administration, and evaluation of a program for certification in oncology nursing...
- ONSEdgeONSEdgeONSEdge, the for-profit subsidiary of the Oncology Nursing Society , is a healthcare intelligence company. It specializes in a core group of services: healthcare advisory boards, ancillary events at oncology nursing conferences, speaker bureau programs, strategic planning and marketing support,...
- List of nursing organizations