Misalignment of specialty nurse practitioners and the Consensus Model.

Nurse practitioner (NP) employment in specialty practice areas, such as subspecialty ambulatory practices and inpatient units is growing substantially. The Consensus Model provides guidelines to help states aligning NP education and certification with specialty practice area. Despite expansion of the Consensus Model, significant misalignment exists between specialty NPs' education, certification, and practice location. Therefore, further implementation of the Consensus Model across states could have significant impact on health systems and NPs working in specialty settings. More than 10 years after its introduction, it is time to evaluate the policy and practice implications of the Consensus Model. Important next steps include examination of the impact of the Consensus Model and how to help health systems with alignment when and if the Model is more widely implemented.

Oncology Nurse Navigation: Results of the 2016 Role Delineation Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2011, an oncology nurse navigator (ONN) role delineation survey (RDS) was conducted by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) when the role was relatively new to oncology. Results did not demonstrate a unique skill set for the ONN; however, since then, the role has expanded. OBJECTIVES: ONS and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation partnered in 2016 to complete an RDS of ONNs to redefine the role and determine the need for an ONN certification examination. METHODS: A structured RDS was conducted using a formal consensus-building process. A survey was developed and released to examine the specific tasks, knowledge, and skills for the ONN as well as to determine which role possesses more responsibility for the tasks. FINDINGS: The ONN role is evolving, and more was learned about its key tasks, including differences in the responsibilities of the ONN and the clinical or staff nurse. However, the RDS did not find an adequate difference in the knowledge required by the ONN and the clinical or staff nurse to support the need for a separate ONN certification.

Filling the gap: development of the oncology nurse practitioner workforce.

A new strategy for oncology care delivery that includes increasing the numbers and expanding the roles of nonphysician practitioners is critically important to meet the current and potential cancer care needs of the US population.

American Society of Clinical Oncology/Oncology Nursing Society chemotherapy administration safety standards.

Standardization of care can reduce the risk of errors, increase efficiency, and provide a framework for best practice. In 2008, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) invited a broad range of stakeholders to create a set of standards for the administration of chemotherapy to adult patients in the outpatient setting. At the close of a full-day structured workshop, 64 draft standards were proposed. After a formal process of electronic voting and conference calls, 29 draft standards were eliminated, resulting in a final list of 35 draft measures. The proposed set of standards was posted for 6 weeks of open public comment. Three hundred twenty-two comments were reviewed by the Steering Group and used as the basis for final editing to a final set of standards. The final list includes 31 standards encompassing seven domains, which include the following: review of clinical information and selection of a treatment regimen; treatment planning and informed consent; ordering of treatment; drug preparation; assessment of treatment compliance; administration and monitoring; assessment of response and toxicity monitoring. Adherence to ASCO and ONS standards for safe chemotherapy administration should be a goal of all providers of adult cancer care.

American Society Of Clinical Oncology/Oncology Nursing Society chemotherapy administration safety standards.

Standardization of care can reduce the risk of errors, increase efficiency, and provide a framework for best practice. In 2008, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) invited a broad range of stakeholders to create a set of standards for the administration of chemotherapy to adult patients in the outpatient setting. At the close of a full-day structured workshop, 64 draft standards were proposed. After a formal process of electronic voting and conference calls, 29 draft standards were eliminated, resulting in a final list of 35 draft measures. The proposed set of standards was posted for 6 weeks of open public comment. Three hundred twenty-two comments were reviewed by the Steering Group and used as the basis for final editing to a final set of standards. The final list includes 31 standards encompassing seven domains, which include the following: review of clinical information and selection of a treatment regimen; treatment planning and informed consent; ordering of treatment; drug preparation; assessment of treatment compliance; administration and monitoring; and assessment of response and toxicity monitoring. Adherence to ASCO and ONS standards for safe chemotherapy administration should be a goal of all providers of adult cancer care.

ONS 2002 environmental scan: a basis for strategic planning.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To analyze information about the environments in which the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) operates as a basis for strategic planning. DATA SOURCES: Published reports and ONS internal surveys. DATA SYNTHESIS: Analysis of internal and external trends resulted in a list of implications with regard to managing change, avoiding mistakes, and identifying critical issues for ONS leadership. The team presented ONS leaders with a tool that helped to guide the development of the 2003-2006 Strategic Plan. CONCLUSIONS: The continuing vitality of professional nursing societies such as ONS is critical to the vitality of the profession of nursing itself. Monitoring the environment in which these organizations operate--and effectively using the knowledge that is gained--contributes to their long-term viability and growth. A stronger ONS is in a position to better serve its members, who ensure high-quality care to people with cancer.