ONS Connect - March 2008 - (Page 7)

EDiTOr’SNOTE ONS Can Help You Stay Current in the Many Subspecialties of Oncology Nursing [By Debra M. Wujcik, RN, PhD, AOCN®, Editor] A Debra M. Wujcik, RN, PhD, AOCN ®, Editor Novice oncology nurses have a steep learning curve, and even seasoned oncology nurses have a continuous learning curve. s I read this month’s feature story, an update on blood and marrow transplantation, I was reminded of how complicated oncology treatment can be and how many subspecialties exist within the broad umbrella of cancer care. At best, nurses receive a broad overview of cancer care in their basic educational program, with extra emphasis on pain management and common side effects of therapy. Yet to practice in any clinical area, nurses must quickly learn the language of oncology. Each type of cancer has a different etiology, pathophysiology, natural history, and course of treatment. The number of chemotherapeutic agents and drug combinations, as well targeted agents being added to treatment regimens, is staggering. A decade ago, an oncology nurse could become an expert in one treatment modality such as surgical, medical, or radiation oncology. Now, patients frequently receive concomitant and sequential therapies that require assessment and management skills for all three modalities. In addition, targeted therapies have been added during induction treatments and continue long after initial treatments as adjuvant or maintenance therapy. Transplantation often includes radiation and chemotherapy in the conditioning protocols along with a number of strategies for immune modulation to improve stem cell engraftment and minimize the risk of disease recurrence. In the 1990s, patients remained hospitalized for weeks to months after transplants, but now many centers have outpatient stem cell infusion centers and nearby housing for patients and families. Nurses have become experts in triaging patient phone calls, coaching family members who are providing care at home, and moving patients in and out of the clinic and hospital as conditions change. Just ask nurses new to oncology if they are feeling overwhelmed. The demands of oncology nursing are high. Novice oncology nurses have a steep learning curve, and even seasoned oncology nurses have a continuous learning curve. Even if you do not care directly for transplant recipients, many of the patients you do care for will have a transplant in the future or return to your care after transplantation. There are a variety of ways to remain current in subspecialties of oncology outside your area of practice. This issue of ONS Connect provides a brief update on the subspecialty of transplantation. For those who need more than a brief update, comprehensive information will be presented at the upcoming ONS Congress. In addition, many nurse experts are available for consultation through the ONS Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant Special Interest Group. Even though the complexities of cancer care are challenging to master, the continuous treatment developments allow us to have hope for our patients. ✱ March 2008 ONS CONNECT 7

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ONS Connect - March 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In From Then to Now A Year in the Life—Month Three Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Recognize Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome in Patients With Cancer Caregiver Care Elasticity of Cells May Help Researchers to Identify Cancer Calendar of Events ONS Congress Your Thoughts and Comments Are a Valued Decision-Making Resource Staying On Top

ONS Connect - March 2008

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