Voices of Oncology Nursing Society members matter in advocacy and decisions related to U.S. Health Policy

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), a member of the Nursing Organizations Alliance, invests in advocating for health and public policy decisions by sending members to the Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) program annually. NIWI provides a forum to educate nurses on the legislative process, giving attendees a better understanding of political, legislative, and regulatory issues facing nurses. The 2014 ONS delegation participated in training and lobbying focused on federal funding issues, nursing education, workforce oversight, and funding for nursing research. The three-day program ended with a Capitol Hill visit where nurses met with their respective legislators or their staff, using skills learned at NIWI briefings to influence policy for nurses and the patients they serve. Critical health and public policy decisions affecting nurses, their practice, and their patients require participation in and understanding of the legislative process. This article provides a glimpse into the three-day experience of the delegates attending the 2014 NIWI.

Development of a versatile enzyme immunoassay for non-invasive assessment of glucocorticoid metabolites in a diversity of taxonomic species.

Endocrinology is a useful tool for conservation biologists and animal managers, and measuring glucocorticoids can help understand biological mechanisms associated with species decline and animal welfare. The current study describes the development and optimization of a glucocorticoid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to non-invasively assess adrenal activity in a variety of taxa. The antiserum (CJM006) was raised in rabbits to a corticosterone-3-CMO-BSA immunogen and used in a standard competitive EIA system. However, the EIA initially produced results with unacceptably high inter-assay variation, attributed to consistent patterns observed within the optical density of developing plates. To determine the cause of this variability, a number of factors were examined using synthetic corticosterone standard and endogenous faecal extract, including: plate type (Nunc MaxiSorp® II versus Immulon IB plates); the use of non-specific secondary antibody; type (artificial versus natural) and presence (light versus dark) of light during incubation; plate loading temperature (4°C versus room temperature); and substrate reagent temperature (4°C versus room temperature). Results indicated that variability was associated with plate location effects, which were not initially detected because control samples were always run in the same positions across plates. Light and temperature were the two major factors that affected EIA reliability. For this assay, the standard protocol required slight modification, with the optimal protocol using Nunc MaxiSorp® plates, room temperature substrate reagents and dark incubation conditions. Following optimization, this EIA was then validated biochemically for 38 species, through parallel displacement curves and interference assessment tests of faecal and urine samples. Additionally, biological validation was performed opportunistically in a subset of species, with use of this EIA demonstrating significant elevations in faecal glucocorticoid metabolites following potentially challenging events. In summary, this glucocorticoid EIA cross-reacts with excreted glucocorticoid metabolites across a wide range of taxa, including ungulates, primates, felids, birds, rodents and amphibians. We conclude that when used with optimal reagent and incubation conditions, this EIA will be useful for non-invasive monitoring of adrenal activity in a wide range of wildlife species.

The value of oncology nursing certification.

The attainment of oncology nursing certification indicates that a nurse has the knowledge and expertise to competently care for patients with an actual or potential diagnosis of cancer. Research regarding the value nurses associate with certification is lacking; therefore, the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation participated in a national study led by the American Board of Nursing Specialties Research Committee to explore the value of certification in a sample of certified and noncertified nurses and nurse managers. A total of 940 oncology nurses participated and completed a demographic survey and the Perceived Value of Certification Tool. Most were Caucasian women, with a mean age of 54 years; 36% were staff nurses, 19% were nurse managers, and 10% were advanced practice nurses. A high value of certification was reported. Barriers to certification included cost issues and lack of institutional reward and support. Benefits included institutional reimbursement and listing certification credentials on name badges or business cards. Both certified and noncertified nurses value certification. Increasing institutional recognition and financial support could improve nurse certification rates and ultimately may result in improved patient care.