ONS Congress®: Planned for Nurses, by Nurses
ONS Congress® returns this spring! We hope that you’ll make plans to join us for extensive learning, networking, and relaxation opportunities.
Did you know that ONS Congress is planned with the help of nurses just like you? These volunteer nurses have been working together to bring cutting-edge educational sessions and speakers to San Antonio for the 2023 ONS Congress.
In light of this year’s theme “Rejuvenate, Refocus, Revitalize,” we asked the 2023 ONS Congress Planning Team to share some of the defining moments of their oncology nursing careers, advice for practicing well-being, and insight into planning the 48th Annual ONS Congress.
Marci Andrejko, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Planning Team Chair
Nurse Practitioner-Blood and Marrow Transplant Service
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
How has ONS helped to define your career in oncology nursing?
I have been an ONS member since 2009 when I shifted my nursing focus from Medical/Surgical nursing to Oncology. As the adage goes, “you get what you give”, but I have to say ONS has always given back threefold. ONS has provided me with a professional community to foster my oncology nursing career through professional development, continuing education, and networking. The many volunteer opportunities I have graciously been a part of have enriched not only my professional career, but also my personal life with many new friendships from all around the U.S.
As the chair, what was most important to you as you led the educational content for the 2023 ONS Congress conference?
As the 2023 ONS Congress Planning Team Chair, the most important aspect during the development of the educational content has been to create a conference applicable to all nurses with a diverse mix of speakers from different geographic locations, institutions and specialties. Additionally, it has been essential to intertwine this year’s theme with the goal to revitalize your practice, rejuvenate your mind and spirit, and refocus your oncology nursing profession with exciting educational sessions.
What advice would you have for a nurse who may be experiencing burnout?
“Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others” is an important rule for not only the airlines, but also in nursing care. Self-care is a necessity that many nurses often neglect. However, nurses must take care of themselves in order to provide the best quality care to patients and their caregivers. Because this is a not a “one-size fits all” approach, my greatest advice for nurses who may be experiencing burnout is to explore resources available within their workplace, professional organizations, wellness and spiritual centers, health care systems, or technology through use of apps. Nursing can be physically and emotionally exhausting. So, do yourself a favor and put yourself first!
Caitlin Murphy, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, AOCNP®
Planning Team Member, Advanced Practice track
Nurse Practitioner
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA
What three words would you use to define your oncology nursing career?
Dynamic, Fulfilling, Inspiring
What made you want to be part of this year’s planning team?
I have really enjoyed being a part of what oncology nurses nationwide are learning and putting into practice. To be able to collaborate with other ONS members to develop this agenda and content is incredible. As our team discusses the dynamic session topics, speakers, and research, you can’t help but want to invest more into the profession.
What do you do to promote well-being in your everyday life?
I never thought my cup would ever run dry! The past few years amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, I recognized that the cost of caring is a bit steeper. I try to exercise regularly and get lots of sleep. Being in nature—hiking, beach walks, and running—is rejuvenating, and I am happy to be back on the travel circuit and seeing family and friends.
Lisa Parks, MS, APRN-CNP, ANP-BC
Planning Team Member, Advanced Practice track
Nurse Practitioner Hepatobiliary Surgery Surgical
James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
Do you have a defining moment in your career?
Being diagnosed with breast cancer. Suddenly, I was on the opposite side of oncology care. For me, it highlighted things that we do not share with our oncology patients, and ways to improve as an oncology nurse practitioner.
Which session are you most looking forward to attending?
I am most looking forward to the two biomarker presentations since this is cutting edge precision medicine.
What advice do you have for a nurse who may be experiencing burnout?
Nurses going into oncology need to develop a work-life balance. Often, nurses are exhausted after long hours, but they need to take time for themselves. A hot bath, scheduling a massage, exercise, and meditation are ways that nurses can practice well-being. Otherwise, burnout occurs quickly and often. Nurses can be so overwhelmed that they are unable to see burnout in themselves and seek help.
Colleen McCracken, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CHPN, OCN®
Planning Team Member, Clinical Practice track
System Educator-RN
Froedtert Hospital
Milwaukee, WI
How has ONS helped to define your career in oncology nursing?
ONS provides me with the most up-to-date evidence-based content so I can educate nurses in my institution.
What made you want to be part of this year’s planning team?
Being a part of the ONS Congress Planning Team has been an experience of a lifetime. I have connected with individuals from across the country with the goal of providing an amazing conference for oncology nurses.
What do you do to promote well-being in your everyday life?
No matter what type of day I have, I walk after work with my husband. Even in the freezing cold Wisconsin temperatures! We take 40 minutes out of our day to unwind and decompress.
Holly Tenaglia, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, OCN®
Planning Team Member, Clinical Practice track
Clinical Nurse Specialist
VA San Diego Healthcare System
San Diego, CA
What three words would you use to define your oncology nursing career?
Inspiring, Purposeful, Ever-Changing
What made you want to be part of this year’s planning team?
I’ve actually been interested in helping to plan ONS Congress since before the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted to learn more about current oncology nursing trends and give back to ONS. Luckily, I was finally given the opportunity to be part of an amazing team.
What advice do you have for a nurse who may be experiencing burnout?
Reach out for help. I have used employee assistance programs and nurse helplines multiple times in my career, and they have always been able to help me, my family, my friends, and my patients.
Tahani Dweikat, EMHCA, BSN, RN, OCN®
Planning Team Member, Leadership/Management/Education track
Oncology Clinical Research Nurse
City of Hope
Duarte, CA
Do you have a defining moment in your career?
Caring for patients during their difficult time during their cancer journey. My career started at bedside and progressed to include many other titles, including oncology nurse, educator, author, editor, clinical trials, active member in ONS, as well as board member of numerous cancer nursing associations, that continue advancements in oncology nursing.
What made you want to be part of this year’s planning team?
It has been an amazing experience with an outstanding team, I like the strategic plan used to create the content of the sessions. On top of that, it has been a great experience in making a difference in oncology nursing and practice
What do you do to promote self-care/well-being in your everyday life?
Practice self-care such as stress-reduction strategy and promote ways to avoid burnout.
Roselyn Ogunkunle, PhD, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, OCN®
Planning Team Member, Leadership/Management/Education track
Director of Education & Strategy
DaAron Health
League City, TX
What three words would you use to define your oncology nursing career?
Challenging, Rewarding, Fulfilling
What made you want to be part of this year’s planning team?
The opportunity to develop and create content for hundreds of oncology colleagues, and to work with speakers from across practice areas, is humbling. In addition, I wanted to have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from different organizations, ensuring that we have content that will energize, revitalize, and rejuvenate our colleagues.
What do you do to promote well-being in your everyday life?
I schedule time for a break on my agenda each day, and I take the break. Sleep is also a priority for me, and I engage in moderate activity a couple times per week
Kristen Fessele, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN®
Planning Team Member, Research track
Nurse Scientist
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
How has ONS helped to define your career?
I became an ONS member while I was still in nursing school. I knew I was hooked on oncology after participating in cooperative education experiences throughout my BSN program at Northeastern University. Since then, ONS’s educational offerings, journals, and progressively more complex volunteer project team opportunities have helped me develop and improve my practice, taught me the value of evidence-based practice on a national scale, and introduced me to some of the most influential people in my network.
Working at ONS as staff in the research department while simultaneously pursuing my PhD was also a huge jumpstart to my career. I learned to design and conduct multisite research and got to work with amazing staff and some of the most distinguished researchers in our field.
What made you want to be part of this year’s planning team?
ONS Congress has always seemed like a huge, expertly executed, well-oiled machine to me as an attendee, and joining the Planning Team is an opportunity to peek behind the curtain and see how it comes together. What I’ve learned so far is that it’s a fabulous combination of smart, seasoned staff and really dedicated volunteers from all roles and settings in oncology care, coming together to make sure the most current, important topics are highlighted using a tried-and-true method to get them out there.
What do you do to promote well-being in your everyday life?
As I am sure it is for many folks, it’s an ongoing effort to be consistent with well-being, but I am fortunate to have a good friend living nearby who is my accountability partner for early morning yoga. It has made such a difference (to both my mind and my joints!) to start the day this way, even though there is no way I would stick to it if I didn’t know she was waiting for me to get out of bed, get my yoga pants on, and get myself over there!
Timiya Nolan, PhD, APRN-CNP, ANP-BC
Planning Team Member, Research track
Assistant Professor and Nurse Scientist
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
Do you have a defining moment in your career?
While I have always known that I wanted to be in the healthcare field, I had no idea that I would enter research. When searching for the next steps for doctoral education, I sought out PhDs and DNPs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. I wanted to know their stories, their daily work lives, and how they transitioned into their roles at the school. It was in these meetings that I had a deep conversation with Dr. Karen Meneses, which led me to re-evaluate my thoughts about how I could best care for and teach others to care for cancer survivors. It was after this conversation that I began to see myself as a nurse scientist in the making!
Which session are you most looking forward to attending?
I always enjoy ONS Congress, but I find the highlight to be the opening keynote speaker. This year, we will have patient advocate and founder of the Tigerlily Foundation Maimah Karmo. Karmo is such a powerhouse and an example to other patients, but her insight on what it means to be a cancer survivor-thriver is what we nurses need to hear to empower our research and evidence-based, artful caring.
What advice do you have for a nurse who may be experiencing burnout?
I applaud the nurse who is brave enough and bold enough to admit that they are experiencing burnout. Once one admits that there is something amiss, then there is an opportunity to do something about it. The first piece of advice that I would give is to remember and focus on what started the fire and love for nursing. The second piece of advice that I would give is to take regular opportunities to indulge in well-being. It is my hope that nurses will find new ways to radically care for themselves as they care for others.
Bridgett Harr, DNP, APRN-CNP, AOCNP®
Planning Team Member, Radiation track
Nurse Practitioner
Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Main Campus
Cleveland, OH
Do you have a defining moment in your career?
I have a couple, but the most recent came last week. A patient who was actively dying requested to speak with me to say goodbye (She was admitted to a different hospital location). This simple request was very humbling and timely to remind me that even the smallest of touches can go a long way. We had an eight-year relationship, and I had coached her through three different cancer diagnoses. It is easy to forget the impact that we can make as providers, and knowing I was on her list to say goodbye to with her close family and friends was humbling to me. I will miss her!
Which session are you most looking forward to attending?
There are two radiation specific sessions on complex cases that are a joy to be a part of planning; what we originally thought would be the idea has completely turned into two unique perspectives of cases. I’m excited to continue to see how these will play out in the planning stages and the final product!
What advice do you have for a nurse who may be experiencing burnout?
Make yourself a priority for at least five minutes a day. Everyone and everything can survive without you for five minutes. Shut off your phone, pager, and computer, and just walk away. If you are worried, set an alarm so you know you will get back “in time.” It’s amazing how much five minutes can really help.
Kathleen MacDonald, BSN, RN, OCN®
Planning Team Member, Radiation track
Primary Nurse/Charge Nurse Radiation Oncology
University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Perelman Center
Philadelphia, PA
What three words would you use to define your oncology nursing career?
Challenging, Rewarding, Transformative
Which session are you most looking forward to attending?
I’m looking forward to Dimensions of Caregiving: Emotional, Physical, and Financial Considerations of Cancer Diagnosis.
What do you do to promote well-being in your everyday life?
I practice meditation, pilates, and prioritize time with family and friends. Sometimes, I just sit on the back porch in the early morning with a cup of coffee and listen to the birds.
Attend ONS Congress to connect with your peers, revitalize your practice, and rejuvenate your mind and spirit.
Registration opens on November 1, 2022. You can also download the justification letter to help communicate the benefits for you, your supervisor, and your institution in attending ONS Congress, apply for an ONS Congress scholarship through the Oncology Nursing Foundation, or even round up a group of your colleagues to save 10% on your registration through a group discount. We hope to see you in San Antonio!