International Affairs 

ONS's international efforts are driven by clearly identified needs in areas of the world where we have 1) the opportunity to make an impact and 2) the capability to provide the necessary knowledge and logistical support to succeed.

The goals of our international work are

  • Expand visibility of ONS outside the U.S.
  • Partner with international organizations
  • Distribute ONS content and programming to new markets
  • Serve the international nursing community
  • Build capacity among nurses worldwide
  • Learn from colleagues outside the U.S.

With sustainability at the forefront, ONS remains focused on consistency and stewardship of resources.  Programming continues to be targeted to regions of the world where existing programs and resources can be utilized, changed, localized, or translated, and where common interests and goals within ONS and its affiliates merge.  Priority topics include chemotherapy and safe handling of cytotoxic drugs, clinical trials, pain control, palliative care, breast care, and leadership development. 

2012 International Initiatives

  • Introduction to Palliative Care for Community and Hospital Nurses - (12-15 February, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman). This program was developed and implemented in partnership with MECC, the National Association for Cancer Awareness (NACA), and the Ministry of Health in Oman. The program goal was to introduce the concepts of palliative care and to enhance the knowledge of nurses caring for patients who suffer from advanced disease states when treatment is no longer effective. Taking cultural and socioeconomic factors into consideration, the knowledge gained from this program can help to alleviate patient suffering in a variety of clinical settings. This training is anticipated to be the first in an annual continuation of programs to unite and equip interdisciplinary teams to advocate for palliative care services.
  • International Clinical Trials Workshop (ICTW) - (16-18 August, Sao Paulo, Brazil and 14-15 September, Nashik, Maharashtra, India)- ONS will partner with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the NCI, Sociedade Brasileira de Oncologia Clínica(SBOC), and the Federación de Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Cáncerología (FLASCA), to support clinical cancer research by developing the research skills of clinicians in emerging economy countries. The two-day intensive workshops are organized and taught in conjunction with a national or regional oncology society. Target audience includes young clinicians who have prior research experience but limited research training and their supportive research staff (nurses, data managers, CRAs, etc.).
  • International Development & Education Course in Palliative Care – (2-4 April, Ankara, Turkey)- ONS will partner with the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC), ASCO, and the Ministry of Health in Turkey and ASCO to teach experienced clinicians and nursing leaders from Middle Eastern countries advanced concepts in physical and psychological aspects of delivering quality palliative care, as well as practical skills to advocate for palliative care services in their institutions and governments.
  • European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) 8th Spring Congress – (25-28 April, Geneva, Switzerland) – Focusing on the very latest trends and developments within the field, EONS-8 aims to take the essential steps towards converting new knowledge into a reality at the patient level. ONS will present two sessions: How genomics will change our practice and Leading and management in nursing.
  • Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) World Cancer Congress – (27-30 August, Montréal, Canada)- ONS will partner with the International Society for Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) and the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO/ACIO) to conduct a full-day preconference session on Evidence- Based Practice, and two lunch sessions on Leadership and Advocacy.
  • 17th International Conference on Cancer Nursing (ICCN) – (9-13 September, Prague, Czech Republic) – The focus of the conference this year is "Enhancing Patient Safety through Quality Cancer Nursing Practice" and topics will include leadership/administration, research, clinical practice, and education in the field of oncology nursing. ONS will partner with ISNCC to conduct a pre-conference workshop on clinical trials as well as a joint plenary session.
  • UAE Cancer Congress – (11-13 October, Dubai, UAE) - ONS will engage nurses from the region at this multidisciplinary conference in sessions geared specifically toward increasing clinical capacity.
  • World Cancer Campaign : ONS is collaborating with the UICC to collect 1,500 member pledges toward the goal of gathering 1 million supporters for a Cancer Free World. Show your support for ONS and this important global initiative by signing the declaration on behalf of the oncology Nursing Society: sign here. (After entering your name, select “Oncology Nursing Society” under the “Register my signature on behalf of” dropdown.)

2011 International Initiatives

  • Leadership program for Latin American nurses.  Viña del Mar, Chile, April 6-8, 2011, in conjunction with the Second Latin American Congress of Oncology Nursing. ONS will be conducting a one-day leadership program, based in part on the Starting from Strength capacity-building course held last year for Latin American nurses at the ICCN, as well as conducting concurrent sessions on evidence-based practice and ethics in nursing research.  This participation opens partnership avenues with the Chilean Oncology Nursing Society, the CáncerChile Foundation, and SLAGO (Simposio Latinoamericano de Gastroenterología Oncológica), and will equip nursing leaders in Latin America to effect change in their clinical practices and/or nursing organizations.
  • Developing Palliative Care Services in Emerging Countries.  Ankara, Turkey, April 3-6, 2011. This four-day multidisciplinary conference will be conducted in conjunction with the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC), the Turkish Ministry of Health, the Asian National Cancer Center Alliance (ANCCA), and others.  Participants will come from the MENA, Middle East, and Far East regions.  The conference will address the global efforts invested in promoting palliative care services, mainly via educational and training programs, starting with these professionals at all levels and with special emphasis on the community.  ONS will be responsible for explaining the important role of nursing in establishing these services.
  • Chemotherapy training. Currently, there are nurses in several countries qualified by ONS to teach the ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course. Since 2003, more than 1,300 nurses have received chemotherapy training outside the U.S. In response to the growing number of requests for chemotherapy training internationally, the current ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Course was revised to meet the educational needs of nurses outside of the United States. The revised program is a 3-day program, initially presented, evaluated and tested in English.  Questions about the program, including translation options, should be directed to Lydia Richardson.
  • Offshore book distributors and institutional site licensing.  ONS has agreements with distributors covering Canada, Europe, and Asia for sales of existing, English-language ONS books and is actively seeking distributors worldwide. ONS also offers site licenses through which we provide unlimited online access to ONS journals for multiple users at each site.  Licenses range from sites with several users to those with several hundred users. ONS currently services more than 270 site licenses worldwide.  For information, contact marketing@ons.org.

Additionally, ONS plans to continue offering nursing expertise and representation as part of conferences and programs run by collaborating organizations.
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