Congress Activities

First Time at Congress? Get a Little Advice on How to Make the Most of It

First time at Congress? Don't sweat it. This detailed orientation will give you all the information you need to make the most of the event. Orientation programs will be presented in Room 112-AB at 2 pm and 3 pm on May 14 and also at noon, 12:30 pm, and 1 pm on May 15. Members of the Congress Team will be available to provide you with helpful hints and valuable advice.

Special Interest Groups Connect You to Colleagues in Your Practice Area

ONS special interest groups (SIGs) connect you to colleagues in your practice area so you can share knowledge and ideas. Regardless of your subspecialty, ONS likely has a SIG for you. This year, SIGs will be meeting after select sessions at Congress. In addition to networking opportunities, you'll have the chance to earn contact hours at SIG meetings. See your Congress syllabus for more details.

Remember, ONS members can join one SIG for free annually. If you haven't already signed up, do so at Congress. Stop by a SIG meeting to make some valuable connections.

Got a Question? Get an Answer at the ONS Resource Area

The ONS Resource Area is your one-stop information shop, including member benefits and services, chapter and special interest group information, the Internet Café, ONS online resources, ONS Foundation activities, and more. Plus, you can enter a free raffle for great prizes, including a free ONS conference registration. We can’t wait to see you there!

Certified Nurses Can Sit Back and Relax at the Certification Oasis

ONCC-certified nurses (and those working toward their credential) can visit the Certification Oasis to get away from the crowds, get a snack, enjoy complimentary chair massages, and network with their colleagues. Plus, ONCC staff will be available to answer certification-related questions. Relax and rejuvenate in Philadelphia. See your Congress syllabus for details.

Visit the ONS Booth for Free CNE, Symptom Management Resources, Career Advice, and More

The ONS Booth is your exhibit hall destination for free continuing nursing education, career resources, and great prizes. Pick up the latest issue of CNE Central, browse the latest publications from ONS, sit in on career resource workshops, get your free PEP pocket symptom management cards, and more.

Plus, representatives from more than 200 exhibitors will feature new products, services, and technologies in cancer care.

Learn More About ONS at the Annual Business Meeting/Town Hall

Saturday, May 17 • 12:30–2:00 pm

Share your ideas and opinions with the ONS Board of Directors and Steering Council. Leaders of ONS, ONCC, ONS Foundation, and ONSEdge will give updates on what they’ve done over the past year and take questions from the audience. Stop by and tell us what’s on your mind. If you'd like to submit a question to the leadership, simply use the submission form in your conference syllabus.

Presidential Candidates Respond to ONS Health Policy Agenda Items

Friday, May 16 • 4:30–5:30 pm

ONS advocacy efforts swing into high gear at Congress. At this special event, you’ll learn about the U.S. presidential candidates' positions on priority issues in the ONS Health Policy Agenda: the nursing workforce shortage, access to quality cancer care, and regulation of tobacco. Information obtained from the candidates’ web sites about these issues  will be presented. You won't want to miss this eye-opening event! Check your conference syllabus for more information.

Congress Session to Highlight New APRN Consensus Work Group Report

ONCC Executive Director Cyndi Miller Murphy, MSN, RN, CAE, as well as APRNs representing ONS and ONCC, will be presenting a session at Congress about the recently completed APRN Consensus Work Group report outlining a model for regulating APRN practice across the united States. Read more about this important session.

ONS Store

Looking for a bargain? All ONS publications are discounted in the ONS Store at Congress. You’ll get the resources you need for less than the member price. Plus, you'll find all your ONS gear, including shirts, mugs, and Oncology Nursing Month products.

Need a little R and R? Come to the Rejuvenation Session

Thursday, 11 am–1 pm • Convention Center Room 308
Friday, 11 am–1 pm • Convention Center Room 308
Saturday, 11 am–1 pm • Convention Center Room 308

Come and experience "Re-energizing and Renewal" at one of the Rejuvenation Sessions
sponsored by the Complementary and Integrative Medicine SIG. Quiet music and low lighting will enhance your tranquility at you learn about and experience massage (clothed), Tai Chi, yoga, Reiki, and healing touch.

You’ll also experience the calm and insight that come from the art of Mandalas. Let your fingers do the "walking" in a take-home labyrinth to enhance personal well-being and health, network with other nurses  about healthy self-care practices, and learn about complementary therapies to help patients when they ask "What else can I do?" The session schedule follows: