The science of nursing has progressed into evidence-based practice with the implementation of nursing research crucial for the most positive patient outcomes. I have researched several nursing organizations and decided to join the Oncology Nursing Society in order to have the benefit of advice, discussion, key highlights, updating, podcasts, and networking that improve patient care. The practice of incorporating advocacy skills leads to the transformation of cancer care as the profession of nursing is improved through the changes that are described and directed by the Oncology Nursing Society.
Purpose and Mission
The mission of the Oncology Nursing Society is to advance excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care. Oncology Nursing Society’s vision for the future is to lead the transformation of cancer care by the development of skills in oncology care and leadership through advocacy for patients according to Laura Fennimore, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, ONS President (2019, p. 11). One goal that advocacy for your voice and helping others find their voices addresses is funding for nursing education and research (Fennimore, 2019, p. 11).
Preparation through funding in areas of research for symptom management and nursing education can lead to quality cancer care as the Oncology Nursing Society works in collaboration with other organizations to take care of the healthcare needs of patients and provide professional guidance for nurses. The American Nurses Association supports professional membership.
Support for Nurses
The Oncology Nursing Society supports legislation that addresses the need for palliative care education which is an important consideration for nurse educators and patients (Fennimore, 2019, p. 11). In an article about cancer-related fatigue, the authors discuss the importance of psychosocial support and mindfulness-based stress reduction to manage insomnia, pain, and depression (Mitchell, Hoffman, Clark, DeGennaro, Poirier, Robinson, and Weisbrod, 2014, p. 1). Programs such as these are offered at hospital sites and physical therapy centers for nurses and can be discussed with members of the organization.
Types of Journals They Print
Oncology Nursing Society prints three journals: Voice, Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, and Oncology Nursing Forum. Each journal is rooted in evidence-based practice with particular focuses for each format. ONS Voice is written to provide timely news and resources to oncology nurses for daily practice with communication and organizational leadership at the forefront (ONS Voice, 2019). The Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing’s mission is to provide practical information for patients and families across the care continuum with publication direction as part of its focus for the readers. Oncology Nursing Forum is written to convey nursing research and evidence-based findings, technology, education, and leadership (ONS, 2019).
The organization provides online and print versions of all three journals for members. Each is available with a yearly membership which includes archives, evidence-based practice recommendations, and dues that are expected to remain the same as last year. The journals have been critically acclaimed and offer expertise in the oncology area of nursing. ONS Voice is considered an oncology news magazine (ONS, 2019).
Reasons You Would Join This Organization
The organization is one I would join due to the ability to access information that is pertinent to solving problems related to patient care, as well as material that available for my own growth as a nurse. The ONS President explains how advocacy can make a difference in the quality of cancer care through a process that outlines the problems or issues, describes the facts behind the issues, illustrates potential solutions offered through legislation that is key and addressed in the ONS Health Policy Agenda, and an opportunity to serve as a resource for the team (Fennimore, 2019, p. 11).
The mission to advance excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care is vital to the goals of evidence-based practice and research with similarities to the disciples as when they described, “saying, the scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses” seat: all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe:” (Matthew 23: 2-3, American Standard Version). My reasons for joining include the mission and the purpose of the organization which is the lead the transformation of cancer care, due to the vast resource material available for evidence-based practice research which is presented in a convenient website format and additional print journals.
Conclusion
Oncology Nursing Society has its purpose and mission founded in advancing the excellence of oncology nursing and quality cancer care. Changes to the nursing field are led by Oncology Nursing Society’s vision to transform cancer through development of skills in oncology care and leadership through advocacy for patient care and symptom management. Palliative care education, such as psychosocial support and mindfulness-based stress reduction, are practices that nurse educators teach through programs which support nurses and patients in managing insomnia, pain, and depression. ONS Voice, a news/oncology journal, Clinical Journal of Oncology, and Oncology Nursing Forum are offered through websites and print for members. I am involved in this organization due to the access to information for problem-solving, patient issues, and advocacy. I believe it is important to act in a nursing leadership role as a patient advocate and support legislation for nursing education and research.
References
Fennimore, L. (2019). Your words matter, so use them to advocate for change. ONS Voice,
34(9): 11. Retrieved from https://voice.ons.org/;
Mitchell, S., Hoffman, A., Clark, J., DeGennaro, R., Poirier, P., Robinson, C., and Weisbrod, B.
(2014). Putting evidence into practice: An update of evidence-based interventions for cancer-related fatigue during and following treatment. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18(6): 1-10. Retrieved from https://cjon.ons.org/cjon/18/6/supplement/putting-evidence-practice-update-evidence-based-interventions-cancer-related/html/full
Oncology Nursing Society. (2019). https://www.ons.org/develop-your-career.
https://www.ons.org/make-difference . https://www.ons.org/explore-entrance . https://www.ons.org;
