ONS Connect - May 2008 - (Page 29)

wOrKiNGfOrYOU ONS Offers Many Opportunities for Leadership [By Brenda nevidjon, RN, MSN, FAAN, ONS President] Brenda Nevidjon, RN, MSN, FAAN reparing my first column for the May issue of ONS Connect, which features the ONS Leadership Development Institute (LDI), is serendipitous because I was a member of the team that developed and launched LDI in 1998. As core faculty in the early years and guest faculty periodically, I have shared in the experience of hundreds of fellows who are influencing cancer care in their communities, leading chapters and SIGs, and serving in national positions. Oncology nursing leadership has certainly seen the ripple effect of LDI. P I believe that each one of us is a leader formally or informally, in our workplaces, neighborhoods, clubs, or professional associations. Individuals who have been associated with LDI can be proud of their contributions in sustaining and enhancing the program to meet the changing needs to participants. Remaining relevant by changing as members’ needs change is a hallmark of a successful organization. Today’s LDI has undergone such change, although some components may remain, and is relevant to the needs of today’s participants. LDI also has gone international. In December, I had the privilege to offer an LDI program in Israel with ONS member Barbara Summers, PhD, RN, and staff members Kate Shaughnessy and Len Mafrica. Forty-three nurses from Israel, Turkey, Cyprus, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority worked together for three days. Nurses from countries that have histories of conflict and political unrest were united by their commitment to the care of patients with cancer and to further developing their leadership skills. The leadership issues they identified during the program are similar to those voiced at U.S. LDIs. There is universality to leadership. I believe that each one of us is a leader formally or informally, in our workplaces, neighborhoods, clubs, or professional associations. Some of us volunteer for formal leadership positions as I and the members of the ONS Board of Directors have done. We are aware that you, the members, trust our ability to do the right things for you and for the sustainability of ONS. We know that changes we need to initiate in response to changes in our environment must be undertaken consciously, purposefully, and deliberatively. Key to this is defining what constitutes value to you and ensuring that it is being received. This is where your leadership is important; we need to hear from you. I’d like to know why you are a member of ONS, what you want, and how ONS is doing in providing it. You can do this in several ways, from the Town Hall meeting at Congress to e-mailing me or another member of the Board (e-mail addresses can be found at www.ons.org/ about/onsboard.shtml). I look forward to serving you for the next two years and hope many of you will drop me an e-mail. ✱ MAY 2008 ONS CONNECT 29 http://www.ons.org/about/onsboard.shtml http://www.ons.org/about/onsboard.shtml

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ONS Connect - May 2008

ONS Connect - May 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In ONS Leadership Development Institute A Year in the Life - Month Five Web Content Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Caregiver Care Put Evidence Into Practice to Prevent and Manage Constipation in Patients With Cancer Giant Database Allows Scientists to Share Information Calendar of Events Working for You Staying on Top

ONS Connect - May 2008

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