Volume 15, Issue 1, August 2005
     
Meet the New Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG Coordinator

Delia Baquiran, MSN, MSB, RN
New York, NY
dbacquiran@atlantishp.com

We are proud to welcome Leah Vota Cunningham, RN, MNEd, as the new Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG coordinator. Leah is currently the assistant dean and an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Prior to her academic appointments at the university, she worked in hospice and palliative care.

Leah says, "Through my experience as a young staff nurse and a 10-year experience as a hospice staff nurse at Forbes Hospice in Pittsburgh, I developed a love of oncology and palliative care. I am currently ELNEC-trained (End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium) and working with nursing faculty to enhance integration of palliative care into the BSN curriculum. I have also participated in ELNEC workshops in the Pittsburgh area."

She sums up her transcultural experience as follows. "For the past 10 years, I have been involved in a number of initiatives in Managua, Nicaragua, through the School of Nursing. I facilitate an annual two-week community health experience for junior and senior nursing students where we work with families in health clinics and their homes. In addition, I have served as an educational consultant on teaching and curriculum issues with faculty in a "sister school" of nursing in Managua and been involved as a coinvestigator on several funded projects. The primary funded project was Implementation of a Nurse-Managed Community-Based Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Program for Underserved High-Risk Women in Villa Libertad, Managua, Nicaragua. Currently, I am involved in another ethnography investigating mental health needs of an urban Nicaraguan community."

Leah has published on community health nursing and on the influence of culture on women's health status. She also has received numerous grants and funded projects on community health, curriculum development, and evaluation of nursing schools in Nicaragua.

We welcome Leah to lead our SIG as it enters another year of opportunities. Her diverse experiences in hospice, palliative care, and academia and her work with underserved populations among high-risk women will serve us well.

 
The Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG Newsletter is produced by members of the
Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG and ONS staff and is not a peer-reviewed publication.

Special Interest Group Newsletter  August 2005
 
   

Two SIG Members Give Back to Their Home Country

Ayda Nambayan, RN, DSN
Memphis, TN
ayda.nambayan@stjude.org

Delia Baquiran, MSN, MSB, RN, and I conducted educational outreach sessions on various oncology topics in our home country, the Philippines. In our recent individual visits, we took the opportunity to conduct programs using ONS guidelines and drew from our rich experiences in oncology nursing. I currently work at St. Jude Children's Hospital, and Delia is now in managed care after she left Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

I participated in the First Regional Pediatric Oncology Workshop held in Davao City in November 2004. The workshop was cosponsored by the Children's Cancer Fund, Inc., and Davao Medical Center. My presentation covered topics on nursing assessment of a patient with cancer, chemotherapy administration, safe handling and disposal, and how to access professional resources. A total of 120 people participated, most of whom were nurses and physicians in training.

Delia's program was held in Manila with about 60 nurses and pharmacists attending. She had taken time out from a medical mission to hold the oncology half-day program. The medical mission to one of the marginal regions in the country was in itself a very rewarding trip and has come to be an almost annual commitment for Delia. For this forum, she was asked to present topics on cancer, treatment modalities, safety in chemotherapy practice, and documentation. The audience was interested in the topic of patient advocacy, which is very dear to Delia's heart, being a breast cancer survivor herself.

As a result of these efforts, my institution, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, through its International Outreach Program, currently is sponsoring a Filipino physician's training to refine diagnostic procedures for leukemia and solid tumors through the program's travel fellowship initiative. In addition, a group of Filipino nurses will be participating in an online pediatric oncology nursing course offered through the International Outreach Program's Educational Web site (www.cure4kids.org/ums/home). The online course includes seminars and videotapes produced by ONS such as "Cancer and Genetics: What Is the Connection" and "The Art and Science of Caring and Mentorship." The course also links to the ONS Evidenced-Based Practice area.

Plans also are under way with a university in Singapore to develop collaborative educational programs aiming at improving nursing care standards and in supporting Asian nurses in their professional development. These two initiatives will provide the nurses with needed skills to improve their oncology nursing practice but also become better advocates for patients and their families. These educational outreach programs are another avenue that fosters the SIG's transcultural mission and ultimately results in the improvement of cancer care in marginal regions that may not have as rich resources for professional development than their Western counterparts.

Note. The free educational workshops were partly supported by the Oncology Division of Biomedis-Unilab Philippines, a major pharmaceutical company in the country.
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  August 2005
 
   

Reaffirm Your Passion

 Delia C. Baquiran, MSN, MSB, RN
New York, NY
dbaquiran@atlantishp.com

My father brought me up to be a nurse. When I was 10 years old, he took me with him to make house calls. I watched him take care of his patients with care, patience, and diligence. In his clinic, I was his "nurse" as he taught me how to dress wounds, apply occlusive dressings, and listen to someone's lungs. I listened to how he patiently explained about medications, diet, and hygiene. I learned to decipher prescriptions and count the exact number of pills that were to be dispensed. As I listen to my daughter agonize over college choices, I remember that important stage of my life. My father picked out the university I went to, his alma mater.

I am glad that he and my mother made those choices for me. Thirty-seven years later, I am proud and glad to be a nurse. My friends and colleagues from the hospitals told me that I "sold out" when I came to the payer side. I told them that I wanted to learn something new in a different place of service and here I am.

As a nurse (on the other side) I am able to

  • Call a member a "patient"
  • Teach a patient about side effects of chemotherapy
  • Help a provider understand why more clinical information is needed
  • Help a doctor decipher his own handwriting
  • Explain a procedure in a language a member can understand
  • Discuss strategies with Irene in Filipino
  • Convince a doctor that it is not preX
  • Give out ibuprofen on a full stomach
  • Hold someone's hand
  • Cry when someone dies from cancer
  • Talk about prostate and cervical cancer screening
  • Demonstrate breast self examination in mixed company
  • Take someone's blood pressure
  • Bring someone to a doctor's office
  • Explain a CPT (current procedure terminology) code and learn bundling and unbundling
  • Understand why some claims should not get paid
  • Stand firm to the DOI (Department of Insurance)
  • Survive a DOH (Department of Health) audit
  • Learn medical loss ratios and book of business from Tom
  • Preach to smokers in the smoking pit
  • Kick "butts" on Smokeout Day
  • Try three-day diets, walkathons, and submit to Karla's measurement
  • Teach back and neck exercises for the physically challenged
  • Use my office for emergency yoga
  • Give an injection after all these years
  • Write a book chapter and edit a newsletter
  • Laugh at myself or Linda's jokes
  • Appreciate that "munch (free) and learn" works for inservice in any workplace
  • Realize that detritus management is something else
  • Appreciate when phones go off at 5 pm and surprise a caller at 7 pm
  • Enjoy dress-down Fridays and not having to wash my laboratory coats
  • Encourage a coworker to take up nursing
  • Realize that caring and learning do happen outside hospital walls

As I greet my friends (from the provider side), I tell them that I do all of these at Atlantis Health Plan. And although I do not wear white anymore except in the summer, my previous roles at the bedside, in the classroom, in the nursing office working many hours alongside them got me here-where I want to be . . . And they are convinced.

Happy Nurses' Week, Irene! Happy birthday, Florence Nightingale, and happy anniversary, Atlantis!

Editor's note. This was written to salute my colleagues during Nurses' Week and while it is late for publication in our newsletter, the sentiments remain the same. Irene (the director for Health Services) is the other nurse in the managed care company, Atlantis Health Plan, where I am currently vice president for Health Services. Atlantis celebrated its fifth anniversary around Nurses' Week.
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  August 2005
 
   

Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG Releases Annual Report


The Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG's 2004 annual report has been posted to the Virtual Community. To view a copy of the report, visit http://transcultural.ons.wego.net/file_depot/0-10000000/0-10000/3388/folder/14821/TNI+SIG+AR+2004.pdf
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  August 2005
 
   

SIG’s Past Coordinator Presents Needs Assessment Survey

 Francisco Conde II, RN, PhD
Northridge, CA
fconde@ucla.edu

In an ongoing process to provide quality service and to meet the needs of SIG members, the ONS National Office conducted a quality improvement and needs assessment survey from December 1–December 20, 2004. The survey consisted of the following questions.

  • What do you value most from your SIG membership?
  • What needs the most improvement related to SIG membership?
  • What is the one thing missing from your SIG membership benefits?
  • What are the top two issues your SIG should address in 2005?
  • Do you belong to other professional organizations?
  • List any other activities that would motivate you to become more involved with the SIG.

Surveys were sent via e-mail and regular mail to all SIG members asking them to provide information on their respective SIGs. Results were sent to individual SIGs in January 2005.

In this report, I have summarized the results of our SIG's Improvement and Needs Assessment Survey. A total of 84 surveys were sent out. Of the 84, 21 (25%) members responded. It is interesting to note that the TNI SIG had the highest response rate among its members.

To review a profile of the respondents, click here.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, but with input and participation from all our members, I am confident we can accomplish these goals.

Editor's note: Cisco Conde, as we call him, deserves a lot of praise and thank you for leading our SIG from 2003–2005. Many thanks to you, and your presence and guidance will continue in your role as ex officio member.
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  August 2005
 
   

News From the ONS National Office

Interested in Reviewing the Latest in Oncology-Related Resources? Consider Becoming an Oncology Nursing Forum Reviewer
The Oncology Nursing Forum's Knowledge Central Review Board is composed of oncology nurses who enjoy reading and evaluating newly released books, pamphlets, videos, CDs, DVDs, and Web sites that are relevant to oncology nursing. Reviewers are contacted by the column's associate editor when media specific to their content area are received. Previous experience as a reviewer is a plus but not necessary.

Reviewers are valued volunteers who contribute their professional knowledge and clinical expertise to the Oncology Nursing Forum and are credited for their reviews. Reviewers can keep the media once reviews are complete.

To learn more about serving as a reviewer or to request an application, call 412-859-6271 or e-mail pubONF@ons.org.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Palliative Care Are Available
The National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care, a task force under the guidance of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, has released the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care. The guidelines describe the essential components of an evidence-based palliative care program and are intended to be used to establish definitions of palliative care, develop new palliative care initiatives and improve existing strategies, create goals for patient access to this type of care, and ensure continuity of palliative care in various healthcare settings. The guidelines are divided into the following eight domains.

  • Structure and processes of care
  • Physical aspects of care
  • Psychological and psychiatric aspects of care
  • Social aspects of care
  • Spiritual, religious, and existential aspects of care
  • Cultural aspects of care
  • Care of the imminently dying patient
  • Ethical and legal aspects of care

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care can be downloaded at no charge at www.nationalconsensusproject.org. To learn more about the guidelines or the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care, contact Project Coordinator Ken Zuroski at 412-787-1002 or kenz@hpna.org.
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  August 2005
 
   

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://sig.ons.wego.net/index.v3page;jsessionid=l5nhe8e4qt77?v2_group=0&p=4918, 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 (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

All members are encouraged to participate in their SIG’s discussion forum. This area affords the opportunity for exchange of information between members and nonmembers on topics specific to all oncology subspecialties. 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.
  • Now, select “Featured Discussion” from the left drop-down menu.
  • Locate and select “Subscribe to Discussion” inside the “Featured Discussion” section.
  • Go to “Subscription Options” and select “Options.”
  • When you have selected and entered all required criteria, you will receive a confirmation message.
  • 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.
  • Select “Featured Discussion” from the left drop-down menu.
  • 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. This appears above the posted announcements section.
  • Select the “Click Here” feature, which will take you to a link to subscribe.
  • Once the “For Announcement Subscription Only” page appears on screen, 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.”
  • Because you have already joined your SIG’s Virtual Community, you will receive a security prompt with your registered user name already listed. Enter your password at this prompt and click “Finish.”
  • This will bring up a listing of your SIG’s posted announcements. Click on “My SIG’s Page” to view all postings in their entirety or to conclude the registration process and begin browsing.
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  August 2005
 
   

Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG Officers

Coordinator (2005-2007)
Leah Cunningham, RN, MNEd
13 Dinell Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15221-4564
412-242-7835 (H)
412-396-6383 (O)
412-396-6346 (fax)
cunningh@duq.edu

Editor
Delia Baquiran, MSN, MSB, RN
433 E. 56th St., Apt. 14B
New York, NY 10022-2432
212-319-4375 (H)
212-747-8283 (O)
dbaquiran@atlantishp.com

 

ONS Publishing Division Staff
Elisa Becze, BA
Copy Editor
412-859-6317
ebecze@ons.org

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 Administrative Assistant Carol DeMarco at cdemarco@ons.org or 866-257-4ONS, ext. 6230.

To view past newsletters click here.

ONS Membership/Leadership Team Contact Information

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

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

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

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) does not assume responsibility for the opinions expressed and information provided by authors or by Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Acceptance of advertising or corporate support does not indicate or imply endorsement of the company or its products by ONS or the SIG. Web sites listed in the SIG newsletters are provided for information only. Hosts are responsible for their own content and availability.

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

 
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