ONS Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQ About Networking Groups

How can I find out about a chapter in my area?
ONS has more than 200 chapters located throughout the United States. Visit the ONS Chapters area for a list of chapter contacts or refer to the March, September, or November issues of the Oncology Nursing Forum. You also can call the ONS National Office and request information about a chapter near you. If a chapter doesn't exist in your area, you can request information about how to start one.

What are Chapter Virtual Communities and how can my chapter get one?
Chapter Virtual Communities are ONS-hosted Web sites devoted exclusively to the news, announcements, and activities of individual ONS chapters. Each chapter is afforded the opportunity to develop and administer its own virtual community using a simple online program provided at no cost by ONS. If your chapter is interested in establishing a virtual community, contact the ONS Membership/Leadership Team at 412-859-6100 (international members call 412-859-6100) or membership@ons.org.

What is a Special Interest Group? How can I join one?
A special interest group (SIG) is an additional level of membership that focuses on a subspecialty interest area, such as radiation, ambulatory/office nursing, or nurse practitioner. The purpose of a SIG is to encourage networking and information exchange among nurses who share common professional interests. ONS currently offers members the option to join one of its 31 different SIGs at no cost. Membership dues are $15 per year for each additional SIG. Membership includes the SIG's newsletter, a membership directory that is useful for locating members outside your community, and opportunities to participate in work groups that develop projects or products related to the specialty area. Visit the ONS Special Interest Groups area for a list of SIGs and membership information.

How can I reach other ONS members with a clinical question that I have?
ONS's online SIG Discussion Forums enable members to post and receive responses to questions on a wide variety of clinical topics. The moderated forums are very easy to use. Simply post your question and check back later for responses, or share your own expertise by posting a response to another nursing colleague's question.