A shift in cancer care is occurring across the United States, and that shift is called integrative oncology (IO). IO is taking the best of “east and west” and presenting patients with a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plan. East typically refers to those practices that are not “standard care” in the United States and includes complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). West typically refers to those practices that form what we know as “standard care.” Also, the “average” patient with cancer today can access more information than the “average” patient a decade ago, so our patients may know more about their disease and treatment than we may expect.

Early and recent surveys show that patients with cancer are turning to CAM for improved quality of life, symptom management, and for some, the treatment of cancer. CAM use in the United States was again recently surveyed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Center for Health Statistics. Interestingly, the recently released 2007 data showed a plateau effect among CAM use noted at 36% in 2002 and 38% in 2007 (NCCAM, 2008). Frequently used therapies were natural products (17.7%), deep breathing exercises (12.7%), and meditation (9.4%). NCCAM Director Dr. Josephine Briggs, when asked if conventional practices are adding CAM therapies to the treatment plan, responded affirmatively.

Mumber (2006) delineated several aspects of IO, including

• The experience of body, mind, soul, and spirit within oneself, culture, and the surrounding world
• The renewed focus on the guiding principles of medicine
• The expansion of treatment goals to include translational approaches within cancer prevention and symptom management
• The focus on an individualized risk-benefit analysis in light of limited evidence-based practice.

To a discerning practitioner, this is taking the best of East and West and providing the best possible treatment plan.

If you are not sure where I am going with this, it will become apparent quickly! Nurses are the largest group of healthcare providers. ONS is the largest professional oncology association in the world. With these distinctions, oncology nurses are capable of, have been, and continue to inspire, initiate, and impact change in cancer care today. ONS’s position on the use of CAM and integrative therapies in cancer care fully supports oncology nurses in all efforts to learn about, talk about, and assist in setting standards for practice, education, and research in IO.

As we begin a new calendar year in the Complementary and Integrative Therapies SIG, we seize the opportunity to sculpt a firm foundation in IO nursing through the expertise and enthusiasm of our members. This issue premiers our blueprint format with dedicated sections for practice, education, and research. You have spoken through surveys over the years, shared at our Congress SIG meetings, and e-mailed your ideas. These are your columns, written in response to what you have told us you want to know. What are your thoughts? Let us know.

References

Mumber, M. (2006). Principles of integrative oncology. In M.P. Mumber (Ed.), Integrative oncology: Principles and practice (pp. 3–15). London: Taylor and Francis.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2008). According to a new government survey, 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children used complementary and alternative medicine. Retrieved January 21, 2009, from http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2008/121008.htm

About Our SIG

Our Annual SIG Meeting will be held Thursday, April 30, 2009 from 5–6:30 pm

Hello to all our new members—all 92 of you in the past six months!

Special thanks those who have served faithfully in the past year:

• Gayle Hawley, past coordinator and current ex-officio, 2006-2009
• Pamela Potter, past newsletter editor, 2002–2008
• Karen O’Driscoll, Rejuvenation Room, 2008

The Complementary and Integrative Therapies (PNI) SIG (previously known as the PNI and Complementary Therapies SIG) began in 1992 and now has more than 400 members who have interest and expertise in a vast array of complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies. The SIG’s 2008 Member Profile reveals:

Primary Specialty: Medical oncology (62%)
Primary Position: Staff nurse (59%)
Years in Oncology: 1–5 years (32%)
Years in Nursing: 16 or more (53%)
Primary Work Setting: Outpatient (48%)
Function Area: Patient care (70%)
Patient Setting: Adult (87%)
Employment Status: Full time (77%)
Highest Nursing Degree: Bachelor’s (44%)

Each year, the SIGs conduct a Quality Improvement and Needs Assessment Survey (QINAS) to discover effectiveness of SIG resources, discover new ideas of interest among members, and shape the agendas for future newsletters and activities. Our SIG’s 2007 QINAS reveals:

• What members value in the SIG: Networking (55%) and opportunities for involvement in ONS (55%)
• Areas of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to learn more about: yoga, massage, spiritual care, aromatherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy
• What resources have you found most useful in learning about CAM: Natural Standard, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, bibliography lists from CAM presentations at Congress
• Top two issues for the SIG to address: Education on CAM therapies, evidence-based CAM for symptom management, role of nursing in integrative care, herb-drug interactions
• Activities that would motivate members to become more involved: Technical assistance with grant applications, participation in educational programs, networking with other members in areas of interest
• If ONS offered a dedicated course on cancer CAM, what would you prefer? Online (85%)
• Areas of most-needed improvement in SIG: Communication with members (40%), sharing of resources (35%)
• Aspects missing from SIG membership: Education on CAM therapies, attractive Virtual Community, research inquiry into CAM among members

The vision of ONS is to lead the transformation of cancer care. The mission is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care. The purpose of a SIG is to encourage networking and information exchange among nurses who share common professional interests. The mission of the Complementary and Integrative Therapies SIG is to inspire oncology nurses to acquire knowledge, initiate the concept of integrative cancer care, expand further the development, and measure the impact of complementary and integrative therapies in practice, education, and research. Our mission is in alignment with the vision and mission of ONS and the purpose of a SIG. Current opportunities to serve in the SIG include

• SIG Newsletter Editor
• SIG Virtual Community Webmaster
• SIG Conference Correspondent.

If you are interested in serving in the SIG, contact CDR Colleen Lee at leeco@mail.nih.gov.

Cancer CAM Practice
What Is Naturopathic Medicine ("Naturopathy")?

Colleen O. Lee, MS, CRNP, AOCN^®
Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
SIG Coordinator
leeco@mail.nih.gov
 

Naturopathy is a whole medical system built from popular approaches in 19th-century Germany that came to the United States in the early 20th century by a man named Benedict Lust. Lust followed the treatment of a healer and priest named Sebastian Kneipp, who treated Mr. Lust for tuberculosis with hydrotherapy and a “nature cure” approach. The approach used gentle exercise, herbal medications, wholesome diet, and sun and air exposure and was later termed naturopathy. The popularity of naturopathy peaked in the 1920s and 1930s, declined with the introduction of antibiotics and other marketed drugs, and reemerged in the 1970s when consumers desired holistic approaches. Six key principles of naturopathy are

• First, do no harm.
• Promote the healing power of nature.
• Treat the whole person.
• Treat the cause.
• Prevention is the best cure.
• The physician is a teacher.

Today, naturopathic physicians are trained in four-year graduate-level programs in one of the four U.S. schools accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Currently, 15 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have licensing laws that require (a) naturopathic medical school training and (b) successful completion of a postdoctoral board examination. Scope of practice differs by state but essentially covers the diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions with prescriptive authority (excluding narcotics and chemotherapeutic agents).

The Practice of Naturopathy
The first visit to a naturopath typically involves an extensive interview about the individual’s health history, lifestyle, and reasons for the visit. A physical examination is performed, and a management plan is developed to promote general health and address the current problem or problems. The plan may comprise dietary changes, supplements, herbs, homeopathy, mind-body therapies, and counseling and education on lifestyle changes. Naturopathic treatments such as hydrotherapy or manual manipulation may be performed in the office.

A U.S. Naturopathic Professional Society
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), founded in 1985, supports a naturopathic approach in transforming healthcare delivery from a disease management system to a comprehensive healthcare system. Members of AANP are licensed naturopathic physicians who are educated in the basic sciences similar to an MD, but they also study holistic approaches to therapy and complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling. AANP’s mission is to serve its members by advancing the profession of naturopathic medicine and preserving its integrity.

2008 Naturopathy Conference
In an inaugural event, more than 800 members of AANP and the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) gathered together for a national conference in August 2008 with the theme of “Embody Nature, Redefine Health.” AHMA, founded in 1978, supports the use of holistic and integrative medicine by all licensed healthcare providers. Members of AHMA are medical doctors, osteopaths, and medical students. The mission of AHMA is to support practitioners in their profession and personal development as healers and to educate physicians about holistic medicine.

Dr. Lise Alschuler, AANP president, and Hal Blatman, AHMA president, jointly greeted the attendees composed of physicians, nurses, homeopaths, naturopaths, nutritionists, herbalists, and advocates. Conference tracks were research, clinical practice, oncology, and poster presentations. Impromptu groups gathered through the conference sharing ideas and networking.

OncANP: Naturopathic Oncology Providers
Uniquely, AANP has a formalized network of oncology providers called the OncANP, whose development in 2004 stemmed from growing interest in the practice of integrative and nonconventional cancer care. OncANP promotes clinical research, continuing education, and standardization of cancer-related knowledge in naturopathic oncology with the main focus on enhancing survival and quality of life. The OncANP panel met at the conference with an open-forum question-and-answer session based on the needs and concerns of naturopathic oncologists. Topics included promoting integration between naturopaths and oncologists, practice limitations and opportunities, developing new integrative programs. Clinical issues also were discussed, such as detoxification while undergoing chemotherapy, drug-herb interactions, and ethical and legal concerns when patients choose naturopathy versus conventional therapy.

Naturopathic Research
An example of an open clinical trial using naturopathic medicine in cancer supportive care is:

• Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Improving Well-Being and Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer or Head, Neck, and Throat Cancer Who Are Undergoing Standard Treatment for Lymphedema
• Trial purpose: To study how well acupuncture given together with moxibustion works in improving well-being and quality of life in patients with breast cancer or head, neck, and throat cancer who are undergoing standard treatment for lymphedema

An example of a closed clinical trial using naturopathic medicine in cancer supportive care:

• Complementary Therapies for the Reduction of Side Effects During Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
• Trial purpose: To determine whether a combined medication of selenium, milk thistle, goldenrod, and bromelain and a consultation concerning nutrition and physical activity can reduce side effects of a chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer

For more general information regarding naturopathy, see An Introduction to Naturopathy by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and AANP Position Paper on Cancer.

Cancer CAM "Tool"

Colleen O. Lee, MS, CRNP, AOCN^®
Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
SIG Coordinator
leeco@mail.nih.gov

A comprehensive medication assessment is a mandatory part of a medical history and provides the opportune time to recognize and communicate potential relevant drug-drug, drug-herb, and herb–cytotoxic agent interactions. Remembering all the routes of administration of medications may help you with assessment. Opportunity: Insert the information below in your clinical pearl notebook.

Components of a Comprehensive Medication Assessment

Prescription Medications

• Ear or eye drops
• Injectable medications (e.g., syringe, ambulatory pump, recent vaccines, anergy panels, immunizations, allergy testing)
• IV medications (continuous infusion and intermittent)
• Medicated patches
• Medications given via jejuostomy, gastrostomy, or nasogastric tube
• Nasal sprays and inhalation preparations (e.g., aerosols, inhalers, mist tent)
• Oral medications (e.g., tablets, capsules, liquids, lozenges, sublingual medications)
• Prescribed marijuana (inhalation form)
• Rectal or vaginal suppositories or enemas
• Topical creams, lotions, ointments, or powders

Nonprescription Medications

• Alcoholic beverages
• Antacids
• Cold and flu remedies
• Ear or eye drops
• Essential oils (applied topically or via aromatherapy)
• Fluid products: water or juice with additives, iced or hot teas (single or combination herbs and how they are dispensed), and drinks made in blenders
• Food supplement bars (containing soy, vitamins, and minerals)
• Herbs (single or combination products)
• Home remedies (e.g., tonics, homeopathic products)
• Medicated patches
• Medications given via jejuostomy, gastrostomy, or nasogastric tube
• Minerals (single or combination products)
• Nasal sprays and inhalation preparations (e.g., aerosols, inhalers, mist tent)
• Pain relievers
• Rectal or vaginal suppositories or enemas
• Stimulants, laxatives, and antidiarrheals
• Tobacco products (e.g., cigars, cigarettes, chew, betel nut)
• Topical creams, lotions, ointments, or powders
• Vitamins (single or combination products)

Note. From “Herbs and Cytotoxic Drugs: Recognizing and Communicating Potentially Relevant Interactions,” by C.O. Lee, 2005, Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 9(4), p. 485. Copyright 2005 by Oncology Nursing Society. Reprinted with permission.

You Are Invited to Share!

MY INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY NURSING PRACTICE:

Answer these interview questions, include your name, credentials, organization, and contact information and send them to Georgia Decker (jorja@att.net) for our SIG newsletter.

• How did your oncology nursing career begin?
• How did you arrive at your current position?
• Can you describe the many facets of your role?
• What do you find intriguing about complementary and alternative medicine?

Cancer CAM Education

Georgia Decker, APRN, ANP-BC, CN^®, AOCN^®
Newsletter Co-Editor
jorja@att.net

Oncology Nursing Forum Cancer CAM Book Reviews
Integrative Oncology: Incorporating Complementary Medicine Into Conventional Cancer Care. Authors: Lorenzo Cohen and Maurie Markman. Publishing Information: New York: Springer Publishing, 2008, 216 pages, $79.95.

Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People With Cancer. Author: Gayle MacDonald. Publishing Information: Scotland: Findhorn Press, 1999, 192 pages, $29.95.

The Complete Self-Care Guide to Homeopathy, Herbal Remedies and Nutritional Supplements: Everything You Need to Know About These Essential Natural Alternatives for Health. Author: Ellen Feingold, MD. Publishing Information: Albany, NY: Whitston Publishing, 2008, 407 pages, $24.95.

Reiki Touch^® Twentieth Anniversary Edition: Professional Touch Mysteries. Author: Julia Carroll, MA, ATR. Publishing Information: Houston: TX: Reiki Touch Institute of Holistic Medicine Publishing, 2008, 172 pages, $65.

American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Methods (2nd ed.). Publishing Information: Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, expected released April 2009, 960 pages, $24.95.

Thanks to SIG members Alyssa Coe, Georgia Decker, and Colleen Lee for their reviews.

Have you read a cancer CAM chapter that you would like to share with the SIG? Please submit your review. You are welcome to use a similar format as above or below.

The Society for Integrative Oncology and Official Journal
The Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary membership organization dedicated to the study and facilitation of cancer treatment and recovery through the use of integrated complementary therapies. The mission of SIO is to educate oncology professionals, patients, and caregivers about the state-of-the-art integrative therapies, together with their scientific validity, clinical benefits, toxicities, and limitations. In 2007, SIO published evidence-based practice guidelines in integrative oncology based on what it believed to be the best clinical research. SIO’s sixth annual international conference will be held in New York in November 2009. This year’s theme is “Revitalizing Health Care: Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Programs and Whole Systems Research.” Membership dues range from $30 for medical and nursing students to $290 for physicians and scientists.

SIO’s official journal, Journal for the Society for Integrative Oncology (JSIO), provides oncology professionals with need-to-know information about the data-based utility of complementary therapies. The overall aim of JSIO is “to facilitate dialogue within the oncology community and help broaden the approach to cancer treatment that integrative oncology can engender.” The journal is published four times per year at a rate of $217 USD and is free with membership. Examples of topics in the most recent issue are phytomedicine, acupressure for nausea, music therapy, and credentialing of providers. Nonsubscribers can receive an electronic table of contents and book alert from publisher BC Decker.

Cancer CAM Research
Abstracts From ONS 10th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research

Abstracts are available in the January 2009 (Volume 36, No. 1) issue of the Oncology Nursing Forum and at www.ons.org.

• Factors Influencing Time Perception in Patients Using Virtual Reality During Chemotherapy
  Susan Schneider, RN, PhD, AOCN^®
• Complementary and Alternative Therapy Use During Treatment of Breast Cancer
  Camille Lambe, PhD, AOCN^®, NP
• Gender, Symptom Experience, and CAM Practices Among Cancer Survivors
  Judith Fouladbakhsh, PhD, APRN, BC, AHN-BC
• Moderator: Susan Bauer Wu

Funding: Featuring the Oncology Nursing Society
ONS has more than 70 opportunities and $500,000 available in awards, scholarships, and research grants through ONS, ONCC, and the ONS Foundation. Consider nominating one of your colleagues for an award. Next, you will hear how Complementary and Integrative Therapies SIG member Linda Treitler put her ideas into an action plan to advance her cancer complementary and alternative medicine knowledge.

Member Highlights

I am Linda Treitler, and I recently received a $3,000 award from the ONS Foundation to use for continuing education. The award is named in honor of Pearl Moore, the first CEO of ONS, who retired in 2007 after leading the organization for 31 years. The idea of providing funds for career development while restricting the use to studies outside of mainstream university education is, in my opinion, a brilliant one. It offered me the opportunity to become educated in topics and skills that will develop new and creative interventions for assisting my patients to cope with their cancer journey. The application process is simple, and all the forms can be printed from the ONS Awards, Grants, and Scholarships area of ONS’s Web site. A person can “self-nominate” as I did or be nominated by his or her ONS Chapter. If the ONS Chapter is nominating the applicant, one form requires the signature of the chapter president. All applications are considered by the ONS Foundation Board of Trustees.

As a certified holistic nurse, massage and lymphedema therapist, and Reiki practitioner, I have had a great desire to increase the use of touch therapies for our patients. My physician and administrative colleagues have been supportive in introducing these services, and patients’ and caregivers’ responses have been overwhelmingly positive. Originally, I intended to use this grant to study aromatherapy, hypnosis, or guided imagery. In the interim, I recognized that a significant number of patients were having problems with lymphedema and obtaining reimbursement for treatment and garments. In light of that, I used part of the grant for a course and a consultant to assist me in billing insurance companies for lymphedema services and for compression garments. I joined the National Lymphedema Network to obtain more information about lymphedema treatment and to become involved in legislative issues related to reimbursement.

I am using the remainder of the grant to prepare for and take the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN^®) examination and to study aromatherapy and guided imagery. What a deal! I feel so lucky, grateful, and proud to be part of ONS. I encourage all ONS members to think of what you would like to accomplish in your practice and investigate all the programs that ONS has in place. There is probably one or more to assist you in furthering your goals.

From the Editors
Congratulations, Linda, on your award!
Ms. Treitler has several certifications (HN-BC, MMT, CLT, and RMT). The ONS Complementary and Integrative Therapies SIG encourages proper education and training for oncology nurses in cancer complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) care. Here is how she was certified:

• HN-BC = Holistic Nurse, Basic Certification, granted by the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA). To be certified, I completed holistic medical and nursing continuing education, authored two papers, and successfully completed a written exam. In the papers, I shared the practice of my favorite nursing theorist and theory and how my practice is holistic. “Foundations in Holistic Nursing” is the course with final exam that AHNA accepted for certification credit.

• MMT = Master Massage Therapist, granted by the state of Arkansas following a 500-hour diploma program in massage therapy. Arkansas has three licensure levels: Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Master Massage Therapist (MMT), and Massage Therapy Instructor (MTI). A practitioner upgrades the licensure level by accumulating continuing education hours and practice hours. My license to MTI was updated in November 2008.

• CLT = Certified Lymphedema Therapist, granted by several U.S. programs. I completed a 135-hour course followed by a written and practical exam at a training center in Boulder, CO. The Lymphology Association of North America offers a course that a CLT can take after one year of practical experience.

• RMT = Reiki Master-Teacher, granted by several U.S. programs. Reiki training varies among teachers. I studied for more than 100 hours with two different teachers to learn and teach the Usui style of Reiki and received my teaching certificate in 2005.

                                         
Conferences

• ONS’s 34th Annual Congress, San Antonio, TX, April 30–May 3, 2009
• 2009 North American Research Conference on Complementary and Integrative Medicine: Collaboration to Promote Scientific Discovery and Health, Minneapolis, MN, May 12–15, 2009

Article of Interest

• “Help Patients Integrate Yoga Into Cancer Care,” by P. Oestreicher, PhD (ONS Connect, April 2008, pp. 20–21)

ONS Articles of Interest
Complementary and Integrative Therapy SIG Members May Enjoy These Recently Published Articles

Check out the Oncology Nursing Forum (ONF) for interesting articles about complementary and integrative therapies.

• “Massage Therapy as a Supportive Care Intervention for Children With Cancer,” by Deborah Hughes, MPH, Elena Ladas, MS, RD, Diane Rooney, MS, Lac, LMT, and Kara Kelly, MD (ONF, Vol. 35, pp. 431–442)
• “Effects of Curcumin on Tumor Growth and Muscle Mass in a Mouse Model of Cancer Cachexia,” by Donna McCarthy Beckett, PhD, RN, FAAN, Katrina Pycha, BS, RN, and Thomas Berg, BS, RN (ONF, Vol. 35, pp. 455–459)
• “Animal-Assisted Activity Among Patients With Cancer: Effects on Mood, Fatigue, Self-Perceived Health, and Sense of Coherence,” by Rebecca A. Johnson, PhD, RN, FAAN, Richard L. Meadows, DVM, DABVP, Jennifer S. Haubner, RN, BSN, and Kathleen Sevedge, RN, MA, AOCN^®, CNS (ONF, Vol. 35, pp. 225–232)

For access to the full-text versions of these and other ONF articles, visit the Publications area of the ONS Web site.

Wanted: Your Expertise!

Share your expertise in the Complementary and Integrative Therapies SIG newsletter. We are looking for articles on integrating care into practice. This includes practical experience as well as research summaries—500–1,000 words, APA style references. We need your submissions now! Please contact Georgia Decker at jorja@att.net with your ideas for submission.

Back to SIG Newsletter front page

Writing Mentorship Program Offers Even More Rewards and Eliminates Application Deadline

Now is the time to start writing for publication. Share your knowledge with colleagues, improve patient care, and reap professional accolades and rewards—all with the help of an experienced nurse author and ONS staff…and all from the comfort of your home or office.

The Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing (CJON) is dedicated to developing the profession’s next generation of experts and authors through the CJON Writing Mentorship Program. CJON will pair each selected fellow with a previously published author who has knowledge in the area of interest, and ONS will offer the support of a publishing staff member and librarian. The project is completed without travel over a period of nine months, and expenses are reimbursed.

The program recently eliminated its deadline in favor of year-round application, and it now offers even more rewards.

• Get your byline published in a respected peer-reviewed publication that is read by more than 35,000 nursing colleagues, other healthcare personnel, and pharmaceutical professionals.
• Establish yourself as an expert in a specific clinical topic.
• Earn a scholarship to an ONS educational event.
• Receive points toward oncology nursing certification renewal.
• Be recognized in the ONS awards publication, at an ONS Congress reception, and in a letter to your employer.

For more information about the CJON Writing Mentorship Program, including eligibility criteria, visit the ONS Web site or contact ONS Staff Editor Keightley Amen at 412-859-6258 or kamen@ons.org.

ONS Connect Launches New Blog to Continue the Conversation

Join the online conversation as ONS Connect’s new blog, RE:Connect, brings together a diverse group of oncology nurses talking about life at work and at home.

When ONS’s monthly news magazine, ONS Connect, was redesigned in 2007, some of the intent was to address the interests of those new to the field and provide quick news and information to busy professionals. RE:Connect offers an extension of these goals by establishing an online community for readers to talk about issues and share experiences that they deal with on a daily basis. The RE:Connect blog was launched in November in conjunction with ONS’s annual Institutes of Learning and Advanced Practice Nursing Conference.

ONS members have been tapped to initiate the dialogue by posting to the blog on a regular basis.

• Erin Elphee, RN, MN, CON(C), primary clinic nurse for Lymphoma and Malignant Hematology Disease Site Groups at CancerCare Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada
• Kimberly George, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, OCN^®, adult health CNS in Wichita Falls, TX
• Jeanine Gordon, RN, MSN, OCN^®, clinical nurse specialist/nurse manager from Brooklyn, NY
• Kari Wujcik, nursing student at Belmont University and a nurse extern in the pediatric intensive care and cardiology units at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University

These bloggers will share their thoughts about day-to-day challenges at work, juggling busy lives at home, and keeping up to date with the magnitude of information available for practicing nurses. Readers are encouraged to join in on the conversation and connect with other oncology nurse readers by posting their own stories, tips, ideas, and suggestions in the comments section at the end of each blog post.

Check out RE:Connect today, and share this link with your friends and colleagues!

ONS Social Media Sites of Interest

Do you want up to the minute information about the next conference? Would you like to network with other oncology nurses? Do you want to stay in touch with other ONS members? Now it’s easier than ever because ONS has joined social media sites that help you do all of this and more. Sign-up is free and easy, and you can always control your privacy settings. Already have an account? Share your story and make the most of all these sites have to offer. Be sure to invite others to join as well.

ONS Is Now on Facebook!

• Connect with other oncology nurses, get updates on ONS news, and explore other social media-related sites.

• Oncology Nursing Month is in May and ONS wants you to share your stories. As an oncology nurse, you take on the role of teacher, listener, and shoulder to lean on. You help people through some of the most trying times of their lives. Celebrate and share the work you do at

• ONS Foundation has funded more than 2,022 scholarships, grants, and awards since 1981, and they need your help to continue that support. Join their cause, spread the word, and make a donation.

ONS Is Now on Twitter!

• Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch with people through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Join today to start receiving ONS’s updates.

Membership Information

SIG Membership Benefits

• Network with colleagues in an identified subspecialty area around the country.
• Contribute articles for your SIG’s newsletter.
• Participate in discussions with other SIG members.
• Contribute to the future path of the SIG.
• Share your expertise.
• Support and/or mentor a colleague.
• Receive information about the latest advancements in treatments, clinical trials, etc.
• Participate in ONS leadership by running for SIG coordinator-elect or join SIG work groups.
• Acquire information with a click of a mouse at http://ons.org/membership including
• Educational opportunities for your subspecialty
• Education material on practice
• Calls to action
• News impacting or affecting your specific SIG
• Newsletters
• Communiqués
• Meeting minutes.

Join a Virtual Community

A great way to stay connected to your SIG is to join its Virtual Community. It’s easy to do so. All you will need to do is

• Log on to the ONS Web site (http://www.ons.org/).
• Select "Membership" from the tabs above.
• Then, click on "ONS Chapters and Special Interest Groups."
• Scroll down to "Visit the ONS Special Interest Groups (SIG) Virtual Community" and click.
• Now, select "Find a SIG."
• Locate and click on the name of your SIG from the list of all ONS SIGs displayed.
• Once the front page of your SIG’s Virtual Community appears on screen, select "New User" from the top left. (This allows you to create log-in credentials.)
• Type the required information into the text fields as prompted.
• Click "Join Group" (at the bottom right of the text fields) when done.
  
  Special Notices
  
  
• If you already have log-in credentials generated from the ONS Web site, use this information instead of attempting to generate new information.
• If you created log-in credentials for the ONS Web site and wish to have different log-in information, you will not be able to use the same e-mail address to generate your new credentials. Instead, use an alternate e-mail address.

Subscribe to Your SIG’s Virtual Community Discussion Forum
Once you have your log-in credentials, you are ready to subscribe to your SIG’s Virtual Community discussion forum. To do so,

• Select "Log In," located next to "New User," and enter your information.
• Next, click on the "Discussion" tab on the top right of the title bar.
• Locate and select "Subscribe to Discussion"
• Enter e-mail address.
• Click "Finish."
• You are now ready to begin participating in your SIG’s discussion forum.

Participate in Your SIG’s Virtual Community Discussion Forum

• First, log in. (This allows others to identify you and enables you to receive notification [via e-mail] each time a response or new topic is posted.)
• Click on "Discussion" from the top title bar.
• Click on any posted topic to view contents and post responses.

Sign Up to Receive Your SIG’s Virtual Community Announcements
As an added feature, members also are able to register to receive their SIG’s announcements by e-mail.

• From your SIG’s Virtual Community page, locate the "Sign Up Here to Receive Your SIG’s Announcements" section.
• Select the "Click Here" feature, which will take you to a link to subscribe.
• Once the "For Announcement Subscription Only" page appears select how you wish to receive your announcements.
• As individual e-mails each time a new announcement is posted
• One e-mail per day comprised of all new daily announcements posted
• Opt-out, indicating that you will frequently browse your SIG’s Virtual Community page for new postings
• Enter your e-mail address.
• Click on "Next Page."
• Click "Finish"
• You are now subscribed to receive announcements.

Know someone who would like to receive a print copy of this newsletter?
To print a copy of this newsletter from your home or office computer, click here or on the printer icon located on the SIG Newsletter front page. Print copies of each online SIG newsletter also are available through the ONS National Office. To have a copy mailed to you or another SIG member, contact Membership/Leadership Specialist Carol DeMarco at cdemarco@ons.org or 866-257-4ONS, ext. 6230.

View past newsletters.

ONS Membership/Leadership Team Contact Information

Angie Stengel, MS, CAE, Director of Membership/Leadership
astengel@ons.org
412-859-6244

Diane Scheuring, MBA, CAE, CMP, Manager of Member Services
dscheuring@ons.org
412-859-6256

Carol DeMarco, Membership/Leadership Specialist
cdemarco@ons.org
412-859-6230

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Oncology Nursing Society
125 Enterprise Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214
866-257-4ONS
412-859-6100
www.ons.org