ONS Connect

Lessons From Leadership: Impressions From ELNEC-Core

Crystal F. Spellman — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:26 +0000

Millennium Park, Chicago, IL

Last week, I was fortunate enough to attend a train the trainer course presented by the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) in beautiful Chicago, IL. The ELNEC-Core curriculum is designed to provide nurses with the tools and knowledge to disseminate much needed education regarding end-of-life care.

The faculty presenters were fantastic, and I am here to say that you have not experienced a role-playing exercise until you have sat in on one facilitated by the ELNEC Project Director, Pam Malloy. Her show stopping performance changed the way I thought about patient-provider communication possibly forever.

I was among 119 attendees with 31 states and two other countries represented. As I am sure any of you felt if you attended ONS Congress, I was floored to be a part of a group of such passionate and enthusiastic leaders, all striving to improve access and delivery of palliative care in their part of the world. The nurses I met worked in a variety of settings from the nurse who worked in a small community in Michigan, to the education specialist at a large Chicago hospital—the wealth of knowledge and experience that came together was inspiring.

Although this group was clearly diverse, I was struck by a thread that tied us together—our commitment to continuing our own education. Most nurses I spoke with at the training were very much like myself and in the midst of completing a formal academic degree as well. I mentioned this to one nurse who replied with a smile, “Well, doesn’t it make sense? We are here together now.” In the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing, Nessa Coyle writes, “Nurses cannot practice what they do not know.” Making competence a priority (whether through the pursuit of a degree, attendance at a conference, or the commitment to read and share a journal article each month) is an act of personal leadership with the potential to impact not only your own practice but also the practice of those around you.

Shades of Care

Joni Watson — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:01 +0000

This is week 20 of 52 Weeks of Self-Care.

With a five-year-old daughter who can out-craft me any day, I have many opportunities to color. Every time I focus on the coloring, no matter what it is I am actually coloring, I find myself more relaxed. The repetitive nature, the colors, the sound, the shading, the progress, the finished product—it’s all relaxing.

Coloring is not just for elementary school. Grab some markers, gel pens, or old-school crayons, and pick an adult coloring page (yep, those are real) to help relax your body and mind.

What Does the Term “Certification” Really Mean?

ONS — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:01:37 +0000

[By Cyndi Miller Murphy, MSN, RN, CAE, ONCC Executive Director]

Various providers may refer to their programs as “certification,” but each may not represent the same level of achievement. For example, attendance at a continuing nursing education (CNE) program is a very different level of achievement than preparing for and passing a comprehensive, broad-based certification exam such as an OCN^® test.

Although each program serves an important purpose in nurses’ professional development, savvy nurses need to know the difference and what it means for them. Here are the definitions of various certification and certificate programs to which the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) subscribes.

Certification: This is a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental entity grants a time-limited recognition and use of a credential to individuals after verifying that they have met predetermined and standardized criteria. It assesses mastery of the knowledge and skills required to competently perform in a profession or provide a specific service. Examples include all of the ONCC certifications (OCN^®, AOCN^®, CPON^®, CPHON^®, CBCN^®, AOCNS^®, AOCNP^®).

Assessment-based certificate program: This is a short, non–degree-granting program that provides instruction and training around a narrow set of knowledge, skills, and competencies. It designates that participants have passed a post-test derived from the course objectives. An example is the ONS/ONCC Radiation Certificate Program.

Certificate of attendance or participation: This certificate is issued after an educational program and indicates only that participants have attended the program. Usually, knowledge learned during the program is not assessed. The certificates often are used to document that nurses have obtained CNE in a specific content area. An example is the annual ONS Congress.

For more information, read “Is It Certification, a Certificate Program, or a Certificate of Completion? Be a Savvy Consumer and Know the Difference” in the Spring 2008 issue of the ONCC Certification News.

Congress Doesn’t End When You Leave

Becky McClelland — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:34 +0000

I am home from Congress, and it was a blast. The sessions that I attended were very informative, and being able to download the session recordings at home for concurrent or missed sessions is terrific.

I also met with my special interest group (SIG), of which ONS has many. There are SIGs for surgical oncology, chemotherapy, different types of cancer, spiritual issues, and many more. You can join any SIG for free with your membership. SIGS are a great way to get involved in ONS throughout the year; I am the newsletter editor for mine.

I also met many vendors in the Exhibit Hall who had information to take home about medications, hospitals, support groups for patients, and supplies for patients and nurses.

Finally, Congress is such a great place to catch up with old colleagues—I spoke with several people who I hadn’t seen for a long time, and I intend to keep in touch. I can’t wait for next year!

To Degree or Not to Degree, That Is the Question

Carrie Smith — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:01:08 +0000

Let’s face it—advancing your education can be difficult. It takes time, money, and planning. Working full– or even part-time can make going to school even harder. So, is it worth it? From a dollars and cents perspective, the answer depends on how far you are willing to go.

RNs with one to four years of experience who have an associates degree make, on average, $54,787 per year in the United States. Go on to get a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN), and you can expect to make only a little more at an average of $58,251 per year with the same level of experience. Even as nurses get more experience, the difference in salary between associates and BSNs more or less continues.

When does the financial benefit of having more education begin to make more of an impact? Based on national salary statistics, the most significant increase occurs with a master of science in nursing (MSN). Nurses with one to four years of experience with an MSN earn $77,661 per year on average, $19,410 more than their BSN counterparts and $22,874 more than associates.

Sound appealing? The ONS Foundation offers $3,000 scholarships annually for nurses planning to obtain a masters degree. You can also find funding opportunities for bachelors and doctorate degrees.

Check out more information about nursing salaries by degree.

We’re Human, Not Machines

Alene Nitzky — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:54 +0000

I just got back from a long road trip across Nebraska and Iowa, traveling to a race for which I’ve trained for some time. I took 11 days off of work, and it was over 800 miles of driving in each direction. I thought driving would allow me time to think and focus on some loose ideas that have been rattling around in my brain. Instead, I don’t remember any of what I thought about, other than occasionally cursing the endless road work on I-80 in Nebraska.

I happen to love looking at landscapes with big open skies. I find states like Nebraska and Iowa to be pretty, and the lack of distraction helps clear my mind of all the junk that accumulates from work and life over the course of several months. Like running, I find that not concentrating on a specific idea or problem while driving and letting my brain work through the solutions in my subconscious gives a better end result. It’s restorative in a way that I don’t realize until afterwards, but the results pay huge dividends in relaxation and creativity.

We keep our brains so busy all of the time, sometimes I wonder if people forget how to just be content in silence and without distraction. It’s a good skill to teach yourself, if you don’t practice it regularly. Sometimes, we need to put all the devices down and reboot our own human spirits.

Inspire the Translation of Research Into Practice at Inaugural ONS Conference

ONS — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:01:28 +0000

The inaugural ONS Connections: Advancing Care Through Science Conference, to be held November 16–18 in Phoenix, AZ, brings nurse scientists and advanced-level nurses together to make the connection between research and practice. At this groundbreaking event, an elite group of cancer nursing leaders will share, discuss, and disseminate knowledge to drive evidence-based practice. The conference features hot topics affecting oncology nurses today, including

Person-centered care
Controversies in screening
Survivorship
Pain management
Translational science
Health information technology
Disease-oriented topics.

The conference will showcase the cause and effect of nursing science and practice on the quality of cancer care, highlighting the importance of collaboration between nurse scientists and clinicians to ensure they are working together for the good of patients with cancer. Attendees will connect, learn from each other, soak in the latest knowledge, and identify gaps in research—ultimately advancing care through science and advancing science through care.

Don’t miss your chance to network with the best and the brightest in the field and walk away from the conference with knowledge that is essential to your practice. Register now for the opportunity to play your part in effecting practice change and improving the quality of cancer care.

Share Your Knowledge: Submit an Abstract

Nurse scientists can present their findings to a prestigious audience at this national conference. Clinicians can tell colleagues about their innovative programs or quality projects. This is an opportunity for all attendees to shine. They are leaders in their workplace and in the field. They are drivers of cancer care. Abstracts are due June 5. Learn more.

Feeling the Post-Congress Glow

Carol Cannon — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:41 +0000

It’s a week later, and I am still basking in the glow of my first ONS Congress. What a ride! On Thursday morning, when I walked into the massive New Orleans convention center and spotted the long line for pre-registered nurses, I felt a little knot form in my stomach. But it was impossible to stay nervous after the opening ceremonies. It reminded me of watching a huge sporting event—everyone was excited and all cheering for the same team. Mardi Gras beads were thrown, and an astonishing number of international attendees processed down the aisle. Then, of course, was the big opener—comedian and author Brenda Elsagher. She made people laugh so hard they cried. Just to get a taste, you can find her at www.livingandlaughing.com.

I was able to attend the Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant (BMT) SIG meeting, where Margaret Bevans spoke about her study on caregivers and how they are affected by the transplant course. Also at this meeting, they announced that the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation will offer a BMT certification in the next few years. This is such a unique specialty that requires a specific set of skills and knowledge; it feels so rewarding that it will become a certification—great news for BMT nurses!

Another highlight was the presentation by the ONS director of health policy, Alec Stone, on the Affordable Care Act. He gave a quick and dirty summary of the bill as it stands today and where it could possibly go in the near future. There was also a long question and answer session that probably could have gone on for hours. If you follow the current healthcare climate in Washington, it is pretty clear how highly nurses are regarded. We are a vital force in driving healthcare reform and should stay abreast of the current happenings on the Hill. Alec’s talk really cemented nursing’s critical role in the future of health care.

Lastly, I could not speak about New Orleans without mentioning food. As my cabdriver stated, “If you’re looking for healthy food, you’ve come to the wrong place.” Yes, it is quite possible that I gained five pounds in my four days in Louisiana, but it was worth every bite. Of course, I had cafe au lait and beignets in Café du Monde, and I went to Acme Oyster House—twice.

The only thing I did not accomplish on my to-do list was listen to Jazz. I guess that means I will have to go back.

Tell Yourself Something Good

Joni Watson — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:15 +0000

This is week 19 of 52 Weeks of Self-Care.

I talk to myself—all the time—sometimes out loud but most of the time in my head. Don’t pretend like I’m weird; you do it too. Some just do it more than others. Many may not even realize they do it.

So often we put ourselves down without even realizing it. We damage our own self-confidence. This week, try saying some nice things about yourself to yourself. Go ahead, say it out loud when you’re alone. If you’re with others, you may want to use the internal positive self-talk to avoid stares. Either way, encourage yourself.

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Tumor’s Genetics May Not Be Revealed by Single Biopsy

Deborah McBride — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:01:29 +0000

Taking one biopsy sample may not be enough to reveal a tumor’s genetic identity, according to a new study. The study analyzed the genetic variation among different regions of the same cancer tumor, using samples donated by patients with advanced kidney cancer.

Using genomic sequencing technology, the researchers compared the genetic variations in samples taken from different regions of kidney tumors. They also took samples from tumors in other organs the cancer had spread to. About two-thirds of the genetic faults in a tumor were not repeated across other biopsy samples from the same tumor. The researchers found a total of 118 different mutations.

The study is significant because it suggests that by relying on one biopsy, important biomarkers may be overlooked that could help make tailored treatments effective, explaining perhaps why personalized cancer therapy has been less successful than expected.

The study also revealed differences between primary tumors and cancer cells that have spread to other sites. The researchers analyzed the location of the mutations and were able to trace the origin of particular subtypes of cancer cells and identify key driver mutations to map how the genetic variations in the tumor may have evolved. Further testing is under way with larger groups of patients.