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General Information

Dates and Locations • Registration Hours • Continuing Education • Commercial Exhibits • Registration Information • Guest Passes • Refunds • Tips for Making Your Congress Experience Worthwhile


ONS 31st Annual Congress
Boston, MA
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
415 Summer Street
Boston, MA
617-954-2000


Registration Hours
Wednesday, May 3 • 8 am-6 pm
Thursday, May 4 • 7:30 am-5 pm
Friday, May 5 • 8 am-5 pm
Saturday, May 6 • 8 am-5 pm
Sunday, May 7 • 8-11:30 am


Continuing Education Credits
You can earn up to 23.1 contact hours if all educational sessions within the body of Congress are attended. Additional contact hours may be earned at industry-supported ancillary events. Advanced practice nurses will be able to determine the total number of pharmacology hours attended and document this on their CNE certificate.

ONS is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation as an ANCC provider refers only to its continuing-education activities and does not imply ANCC Commission on Accreditation endorsement of any commercial products.

ONS is also approved as a provider of continuing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # 2850. The credits you earn at Congress qualify for ONC-PRO points needed for ONCC certification renewal. Visit www.oncc.org for information on oncology nursing certification.

Commercial Exhibits
Visit the Congress exhibit hall, where more than 200 exhibitors will feature new products, services, and technologies in the area of cancer nursing.

Exhibit Hours
Thursday, May 4 • 11 am-5 pm
Friday, May 5 • 8:30 am-3 pm
Saturday, May 6 • 10 am-3 pm


Registration Information
Register today for the #1 conference for oncology nursing. Plus, if you register by March 22, you will save $100. Click here to register online through our secure site. If you prefer, you can download the official Congress registration form and fax or mail it to ONS.


Congress fees include attendance at the educational sessions, special social events, and commercial exhibits. Participants will also receive a copy of the Congress syllabus, which includes complete session details, objectives, and key session slides as well as other helpful attendee information. You will also have the opportunity to register for special preconference programming and ONS Foundation events when you register for Congress.


Guest Passes
Guest passes must be purchased by a full-paying Congress registrant for his or her guests. The guest pass fee ($5 per day or $10 for three days) covers entrance into the commercial exhibit hall only. You can order your guest pass online when you register for Congress. If you are not registering online, click here to download the guest pass order form.


Refunds
To apply for a Congress or Pre-Congress registration refund, please send a written request and proof of payment to the ONS Meeting Services Team at 125 Enterprise Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214.

Refunds will be made in full before March 22, 2006 (less a $20 processing fee). Fifty percent refunds will be made between March 23, 2006, and April 12, 2006. No refunds will be made after April 12, 2006. Refunds will be processed 4-6 weeks after Congress is held.


Tips for Making Your Congress Experience Worthwhile Networking is an excellent way to share new ideas, establish contacts, and develop lasting friendships. Attending Congress offers you an opportunity to meet oncology nurses from all over the United States and from other countries. Here are some suggestions to help you get the most out of Congress.
  1. Review the Glance by Day and Glance by Track session information. Note the sessions that interest you. Sketch out your week in advance; this can be used as a quick reference to guide you. Pick an alternative session in case the one you choose is filled.
  2. Look for educational opportunities supported by pharmaceutical companies in addition to the regular Congress sessions. Returning an RSVP card may be necessary to ensure admittance to a pharmaceutical session. Be sure you do not RSVP for sessions being held simultaneously. In addition, companies rely heavily on RSVP cards to plan these events; if you do RSVP for an event, please attend so that resources and meals are not wasted. Return any unused tickets to the Ancillary Event Booth and check at the booth for returned tickets that have become available.
  3. Read the General Information and review Session Details. Be certain that you understand the differences between the types of sessions. If you're still not sure, ask for assistance at the ONS registration desk. Choose the format most likely to match your learning objectives.
  4. Wear comfortable shoes. They will take priority over fashion. Tennis shoes are a must to survive at Congress.
  5. An extra bag is necessary for carrying and storing all of the materials and souvenirs that you will obtain at Congress. Or, consider shipping materials home. Fees are the attendee's responsibility.
  6. Congress can be very hectic. Plan to take "time out" to refresh yourself during all activities and plan some rest time afterward.
  7. Carry your business cards and ask new acquaintances for one of theirs. When someone gives you a card, make a note on the back to cue your memory.
  8. Divide the sessions between yourself and your colleagues, as it will be impossible for you to attend everything. Sharing feedback can be fun! Most of the sessions are audiotaped and available for purchase at Congress. Plan with friends which audiotapes each of you would like to purchase.
  9. Attend the Opening Ceremony.
  10. Visit the Intranet Café, where you'll be able to check your email.
  11. Visit the commercial exhibits. They provide an excellent opportunity to make contacts and learn about the latest technology and products in oncology health care. Attend the Annual Business/Town Hall Meeting on Saturday. They provide a great way to learn about how ONS works.
  12. Visit the ONS Store where ONS publications and books, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation pins, and ONS Foundation mugs, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and buttons will be on sale.
  13. Introduce yourself to two new people each day—a good place to start is with the person sitting next to you at a session.
  14. Note the number of contact hours earned on the CNE certificate included in your registration packet and submit your program evaluation before you leave Congress. Evaluation forms are not accepted following the meeting.

Nonsmoking Event
In support of the 1984 ONS Resolution "Challenge to Action in Anti-Smoking Efforts," the ONS Board of Directors is committed to developing a smoke-free environment at all national meetings. Smoking will not be permitted within the 2006 Congress meeting rooms.