The Impact of ONS Bridge™—Elevate Your Oncology Nursing Practice
I’ve been fortunate to be able to attend ONS Bridge every year since its inception and when this fully virtual conference started, my expectations were not only met but exceeded. The sessions are informative, timely, and relevant. In addition, the virtual platform allows for fun and creative activities along with networking opportunities with attendees and exhibitors.
ONS Bridge is geared toward oncology nurses in clinical practice, including those who work at the chair/bedside, as well as nurse navigators, educators, and advance practice nurses. The program is the epitome of evidence-based practice, providing practical, real-world applications of the evidence from our oncology nurse scientist colleagues. Over the years, I have attended several sessions that directly impacted my practice. For example, a previous ONS Bridge session focused on the shift toward personalized medicine and the use of biomarkers to tailor treatment to the characteristics of an individual’s tumor. I was able to share the ONS Biomarker Database with my colleagues, and I now speak with patients about biomarkers and the genomic testing process, as well as review test results to help empower them to participate in shared decision making.
Connecting with other attendees can sometimes be challenging with virtual conferences. However, by offering roundtable networking sessions on a different day, you have the opportunity to meet ONS staff, Board members, members of the Leadership Development Committee, and more without having to choose between NCPD credit and learning more about opportunities to grow professionally.
In fact, between watching in real time or viewing sessions after the conference ends, the number of NCPD and ILNA points that ONS Bridge offers make it a great return on investment.
As cancer care continues to advance, oncology nurses need to keep current to provide high-quality care to our patients. ONS Bridge allows you to learn about new treatment options and be inspired by fellow oncology nurses, all from the comfort of your home. There’s still time to register for this premier virtual event, I hope to see you there!