Session Details:
Pre-Congress Sessions

This year, ONS is offering a number of special, in-depth preconference programs to provide you with information on hot topics in oncology nursing.

Visit the Register for Congress area for complete Pre-Congress registration information.

ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course-Part 1

OCN^® Review-Part 1

AOCNP/AOCNS Review-Part 1

ONS Radiation Therapy Course

ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course-Part 2

OCN^® Review-Part 2

AOCNP/AOCNS Review-Part 2

Pre-Congress Session 1 (ADV/CP)
Focus on Safety: Strategies to Reduce Risk of Harm to Patients and Nurses
In this comprehensive session, you'll get an in-depth review of evidence-based safety recommendations as well as practice suggestions for implementing these recommendations in a variety of clinical settings. Speakers will also address JCAHO National Patient Safety Goals and establishing policies and procedures to respond to errors and adverse events. They will also compare OSHA/ONS recommendations for safe handling of hazardous drugs. This session contains approximately 30 minutes of pharmacology content.

Pre-Congress Session 2 (ADV/CP)
Pharmacotherapeutics for Palliative Care
Don't miss this overview and update of the pharmacologic basis for palliative care. Speakers will address opioid pharmacology and discuss current delivery systems, special population considerations, and access-to-care issues as well as nonopioid pharmacology for pain management. You'll also get detailed information on the pharmacologic aspects of managing nausea, bowel problems, fatigue, dyspnea, depression, delerium, and anxiety. This session contains approximately 420 minutes of pharmacology content.

Pre-Congress Session 3 (ADV/CP)
The Power of Partnerships
A Joint Session of ONS and the National Societyof Genetic Counselors
The Power of Partnerships will provide you with the latest updates on the evolving area of cancer genetics and risk assessment. Using the partnership and multidisciplinary team model, speakers from a variety of disciplines will present updates on the latest evidence regarding HNPCC mutations, medical management, emerging risk-reduction strategies, community partnerships to enhance minority participation in genetic research and service, and a model cancer genetic risk assessment practice.

Pre-Congress Session 4 (ADV/CP)
Management of Medical Problems in the Oncology Patient: Cardio/Pulmonary Complications
Through a case study approach, you'll learn about the diagnosis, clinical manifestations, treatment management, and nursing care of the oncology patient with various cardio/pulmonary complications, including COPD, pleural effusion, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. This session contains approximately 60 minutes of pharmacology content.

Pre-Congress Session 5 (INTRO/CP)
Care of the Adolescent and Young Adult Patient With Cancer
In this session, speakers will describe oncologic diseases that affect adolescents and young adults. You'll learn about the importance of clinical trials in this population and discuss some of the specific psychosocial issues these patients experience. You'll also gain information about their specific developmental needs and learn about developmental and psychosocial aspects of caring for these young patients. This session contains approximately 20 minutes of pharmacology content.

Pre-Congress Session 6 (ADV/ADM)
Staffing: Current Perspectives
In this presentation, speakers will use case studies, audience participation, and interactive discussions to provide you with information related to staffing issues. You'll review nursing shortage facts and get information on nursing intensity tools and mandated staffing ratios. You'll also learn how to identify resources to optimize patient care.

Pre-Congress Session 7 (INTRO/CP)
Priority Symptom Management (PRISM) as Applied to Cancer Complementary
and Alternative Medicine
Symptom management spans the prediagnosis to survivorship spectrum. Tremendous advances have been made in relieving the symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment as well as the possible long-term physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological consequences. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are enhancing conventional symptom management. Given the widespread availability and affordability of many CAM therapies, their further integration into cancer care is inevitable. This session will provide you with a critical appraisal of CAM approaches in the six symptoms originally addressed in the PRISM project developed by the ONS Foundation-anorexia, cognitive dysfunction, depression, fatigue, neutropenia, and pain. Speakers will also address CAM for anxiety, bone marrow suppression, constipation, diarrhea, dysphagia, insomnia, mucositis, nausea and vomiting, and peripheral neuropathies.

Pre-Congress Session 8 (INTRO/CP)
A Targeted and Biological Therapy Primer: They Keep on Coming and They Are Here
to Stay
Targeted therapies are at the forefront of cancer treatment and continue to evolve. Since 1997, the Food and Drug Administration has approved more than 10 such agents. These newer therapies have a far-reaching impact on the most difficult to treat and most common cancers (lung, breast, colorectal, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma). As an oncology nurse, you need detailed information on the mechanisms of actions and patient care responsibilities for the current approved agents as a foundation for your own knowledge, your patient teaching, and in relation to newer agents in development. This presentation will review cell signaling, genetic abnormalities, anti-VEGF mechanisms, and newer mechanisms. Case studies will help you understand the basic mechanisms of oncogenesis and enhance your knowledge of a variety of agents. This session contains approximately 120 minutes of pharmacology content.

First-Timers' Reception
If you're attending Congress for the first time, be sure to stop by to find out how you can make the most of the event. You'll also have the opportunity to network with other first-timers.

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