Employer: University of Texas Health Science Center
City & State: San Antonio,TX
SIG: Clinical Trial Nurses

What do you love about oncology nursing? The patients. I am constantly amazed at the courage my patients exhibit. I always receive more back than I can give to them. I would never want to work in any other area of nursing.

Employer: US Oncology
City & State: Houston TX
SIG: Ambulatory Office Nursing

What do you love about oncology nursing? Knowing we, as oncology nurses, make a difference in the lives of all we touch- no other specialty in nursing gives as much back to the nurses. You become an immediate “member of every patient’s family” sharing joys, trials and sorrows with them.

Employer: Nebraska Medical Center
City & State: Omaha, ME

What does ONS mean to you? I have support for my nursing specialty.

What do you love about oncology nursing? Specific to my practice.

Employer: Cleveland Regional Medical Center
City & State: Shelby, NC
SIG: Radiation

What does ONS mean to you? Makes education easier for me.

Employer: Carle Clinic
City & State: Urbana, IL
SIG: Chemotherapy

What does ONS mean to you? Ways to increase nursing education.

Employer: University of Chicago
City & State: Chicago, IL
SIG: Radiation
Chapter: Chicago

What does ONS mean to you? It has helped me grow professionally for the past 25 years.

What do you love about oncology nursing? Everything!

Employer: Urbana Cancer Center
City & State: Urbana, IL

What does ONS mean to you? An opportunity to network and enhance the quality of care oncology nurses provide to patients.

Employer: OU Cancer Institute
City & State: Oklahoma City, OK
SIG: CNS

What does ONS mean to you? Best professional organization hands down! Resources, references, friends, peers and the best CE conference of all time!

What do you love about oncology nursing? Well- everything! Patients! Families! Docs! Peers! Even the translational scientists! :-)

Employer: Dana Farber- Brigham Womens Cancer Center
City & State: Milford, MA
SIG: Radiation, Ambulatory/Office Nursing

What does ONS mean to you? It is the life blood of our profession. I get a fresh transfusion with every ONS convention.

What do you love about oncology nursing? The love, the connection, the intellect, the challenge. What's not to love!

Employer: Dana Farber Cancer Center
City & State: Milford, MA
SIG: Chemotherapy

What does ONS mean to you? A feeling of professionalism.

What do you love about oncology nursing? I get back much more than I give!

Employer: Hackensack University Medical Center
City & State: Hackensack, NJ

What do you love about oncology nursing? I can provide my best knowledge, skills, and compassion to patients with cancer and their families.

What does ONS mean to you? I love being a member and ONS makes me feel proud to be a nurse/oncology specialist.

Employer: Carle Cancer Center
City and State: Urbana, IL

What do you love about oncology nursing? My patients and the feeling I get from taking care of them.

Employer: King Hussein Cancer Center
City & State: Ammain, Jordan

What does ONS mean to you? As a new member, it is a great association.

Employer: Ste Genevieve County Mem Hospital
City & State: Sainte Genevieve, MO

What does ONS mean to you? ONS is a connection, a lifeline. ONS is my channel to remaining to date on what is going on in the ever-changing world of cancer care.

What do you love about oncology nursing? Just one thing?! I love the complexity, I love the constant learning and the challenges that oncology nursing presents. I love my patients and I love making a difference in their lives!

Employer: Hem/Onc Associates of Fayetteville NC
City & State: Fayetteville, NC
SIG: Nurse Practitioner, Pain Management
Chapter: North Carolina Triangle

What does ONS mean to you? Resources - peer connections

What do you love about oncology nursing? The challenges. The constantly changing landscape of oncology and the treatments. The opportunity to make a difference in someone's life and to have my patients make a difference in my life.

Employer: Howard Regional Oncology
City & State: Kokomo, IN
SIG: Nurse Practitioner

What does ONS mean to you? ONS provides standards of excellence for the profession, and for the patients.

What do you love about oncology nursing? There is no other group of patients that expresses as much gratitude for what we do than cancer patients. It makes oncology nursing the most rewarding field to be in.

Employer: Flagler Hospital
City & State: St Augustine, FL
SIG: Pain Management
Chapter: NE Florida

What does ONS mean to you? A sense of belonging, caring.

What do you love about oncology nursing? My patients, mutual respect from peers and oncologist. The belief that I make a difference in my patients life as they do in mine.

Employer: Edward Cancer Center
City & State: Naperville, IL
SIG: BMT
Chapter: Chicago

What does ONS mean to you? Education, networking, sharing knowledge

Employer: Radiation Oncology Associates
City & State: Albuquerque, NM
SIG: Staff Education and Management & Program Development
Chapter: Albuquerque

What does ONS mean to you? Caring, autonomy, motivation to learn constantly, being able to give, teamwork

What do you love about oncology nursing? networking, up-to-date knowledge base, ONStat

Employer: Lovelace Medical Center
City & State: Albuquerque, NM
SIG: Chemotherapy
Chapter: Houston

What does ONS mean to you? resources and support

Employer: City of Hope
City & State: Duarte, CA

What does ONS mean to you? To network with other oncology nurses. I enjoy all the lectures, especially put on by the pharmaceutical companies and the dinners.

What do you love about oncology nursing? Caring for patients who are sick and need not only a nurse but someone who addresses all pshychosocial and emotional needs as well.

Employer: Rush North Shore Medical Center
City & State: Skokie, IL
SIG: Cancer Genetics and Radiation
Chapter: Chicago

What does ONS mean to you? Access to research, new info, professionalism.

Employer: St Vincent’s Medical Center
City & State: Bridgeport, CT
SIG: Clinical Nurse Specialist
Chapter: Southwestern CT

What does ONS mean to you? Connecting nationally & locally with my peers- endless resources and a professional guide!

What do you love about oncology nursing? Ever changing, always challenging, with endless rewards!

Employer: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
City & State: Iowa City, Iowa
SIG: Blood & Marrow Stem Cell Transplant
Chapter: Eastern Iowa

What does ONS mean to you? An opportunity to learn more, enhance my practice to continually improve patient care.

What do you love about oncology nursing? The patients - they embody everything wonderful about humanity - grace, strength, courage, hopefulness, love and beauty.

Employer: US Navy
City & State: Portsmouth, VA
SIG: Pain Management

What does ONS mean to you? Professional support and guidance whenever needed!

What do you love about oncology nursing? The professionalism and dedication of all oncology nurses to provide high qualifty cancer care, regardless of clinical setting or location.

Employer: Edward Cancer Center
City & State: Naperville, IL
SIG: Nurse Practitioner
Chapter: Chicago Western

What does ONS mean to you? Mentorship and learning. Very supportive organization.

What do you love about oncology nursing? The people, patients and families. You get to establish wonderful relationships.

Employer: Nebraska Medical Center
City & State: Omaha, NE
SIG: Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant

What does ONS mean to you? A great chance to learn so I can serve patients better and a great networking opportunity.

What do you love about oncology nursing? My favorite thing about oncology nursing is having the chance to have interactions with patients over time and develop relationships to make an impact that you couldn't otherwise have in areas where turn over is much quicker or where their condition is not so serious.

Employer: St Joseph Hospital
City & State: Lexington, KY
Chapter: Bluegrass

What does ONS mean to you? ONS has been a door to many new experiences. I love the opportunity to network and learn as much as I can.

What do you love about oncology nursing? My patients.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 18

What is your favorite member benefit and why? This conference has been the best benefit of joining ONS.

Employer: Kentuckiana Cancer Institute
City & State: Louisville, KY

What does ONS mean to you? Connection with colleagues, knowledge and better patient care.

What do you love about oncology nursing? The patients — their courage and stamina figuring out the puzzle of their care.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse?  36

Employer: Baton Rouge Gen Med Ctr
City & State: Baton Rouge, LA
SIG: Chemotherapy
Chapter: Baton Rouge

What does ONS mean to you? It means knowledge you need to know.  They have the information and know how to access it.  It means hope and courage.  It means networking with colleagues and peers.  It means access and acceptance.  ONS has the arms that embrace you and lead you onto bigger and better efforts.

What do you love about oncology nursing? I love that it allows me to express my loving, caring nature.  It allows me to teach novice nurses the things I have learned from my patients through all the years I have been a nurse.  I love how nursing changes, yet in times of crisis, we go back to the basics.  I love how the patients have taught me the meaning of life and love.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse?  3rd Grade

What is your favorite member benefit and why? I love the education services.  I love the membership benefits.  I really enjoy the journals and publications that keep me current.  I like the access it gives me to others with similar love and interests.  Twentyfour/Seven, ONS is there.

Employer: Saint Agnes Hospital
City & State: Visalia, CA
SIG: Clinical Nurse Specialist
Chapter: California Central

What does ONS mean to you? ONS brings together oncology nurses to network and learn the latest information available in the oncology arena. ONS provides support and life long learning for nurses in quality of life for patients as well as education for nurses in other specialties.

What do you love about oncology nursing? Becoming involved with patients and families who have emotional and spiritual problems to overcome, as well as physical hurdles. Even at end of life-the family thanks you (nurse) for everything!

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 19

What is your favorite member benefit and why? Education-It's life long process.

Employer: Helen F. Graham Cancer Center
City & State: Newark, DE
Chapter: Delaware Diamond

What does ONS mean to you? ONS to me means somewhere I can go for guidance, education and support. It is very empowering.

What do you love about oncology nursing? The love and strength I receive from my patients and co-workers.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 5

What is your favorite member benefit and why? The benefits are many, but my favorites are the local chapter meetings, IOL and the networking.

Employer: Infusion Partner
City & State: Wexford, PA
SIG: Pharmaceutical/Industry Nurse & Home Care

What does ONS mean to you? A professional organization that is dedicated to the growth of oncology nurses world wide. I have a loyalty to the Society that will last forever.

What do you love about oncology nursing? Caring for cancer patients and making a difference in their lives.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 17

What is your favorite member benefit and why? Journals, information, CE information membership

Employer: Clearview Cancer Institute
City & State: Madison, AL
SIG: Staff Education

What does ONS mean to you? ONS means to me the network of information and support that I can look to in providing the best care possible for my patients.

What do you love about oncology nursing? The thing I love the most is the interaction with the patients and families during care.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 10

What is your favorite member benefit and why? Publications that educate on new drugs.

Employer: University of Wisconsin Hospital
City & State: Verona, WI
SIG: Nurse Practitioner, Psychosocial, Pediatric/Adolescent, Pain Management
Chapter: Wisconsin Capitol

What does ONS mean to you? Professional education and collaboration as a means of impacting patient/family well-being.

What do you love about oncology nursing? Helping patients and families live comfortably in the moment.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 19

What is your favorite member benefit and why? The continuing education and opportunity to meet other nurses across the world facing the same challenges in caring for those with cancer.

Employer: New England Medical Ctr
City & State: Westford, MA
SIG: Clinical Nurse Specialist
Chapter: Merrimack Valley (MA)

What does ONS mean to you? ONS is a continuous up-to-date textbook. I can get any information I need to practice by beginning on the website and going from there to articles and links.  It is the only way to practice oncology nursing.

What do you love about oncology nursing? There are so many opportunities and paths available. The effect we have on patients is immeasurable. I feel I am making a contribution with my life work.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 35

What is your favorite member benefit and why? I love the journals. The CJON especially is very practical information.

City & State: Silver Spring, MD
SIG: Chemotherapy, Pain Management, Ethics, Neutropenia
Chapter: Washington DC

What does ONS mean to you? An opportunity to network, learn and be with other oncology nurses. I have clearly learned a tremendous amount of new information about a whole host of topics at all Congresses and IOL's.

What do you love about oncology nursing? It involves every aspect of care.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 25

Employer: Newark Beth Israel Medical Ctr
City & State: Silver Spring, MD
SIG: Clinical Nurse Specialist
Chapter: North Central New Jersey

What does ONS mean to you? The "mother" of the oncology nursing profession where I go to for standards of practice, resources, networking and camaraderie.

What do you love about oncology nursing? That I can use many facets of my clinical skills and make a difference in a patients quality of life.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 5

What is your favorite member benefit and why? The evidence based practice resources.  Saves me lots of time in reviewing literature for best practice.

Employer: Front Range Cancer Specialists
City & State: Loveland, CO
Chapter: High Plains Oncology Professionals (CO & WY)

What does ONS mean to you? ONS has been a monumental organization which has provided me an opportunity and desire to mature in oncology nursing. As a nurse practitioner, ONS has provided opportunity for education, certification, networking, etc. The support of the organization has empowered this profession to become more assertive and effective in demanding quality of care for patients as well as the nurse.

What do you love about oncology nursing? I learn so many life lessons from patients working through their journey of cancer. Being a small part of their lives means so much to me.  The oncology nurses seem to band together more than any other group I have observed.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse? 20

What is your favorite member benefit and why? The opportunity for SIGs and continuing education has been so great. This is so tailored to my profession. I also appreciate and enjoy our local chapter and have been honored to serve as the 2006 President.

Employer: Tyler Hematology/Oncology PA
City & State: Tyler, TX
Chapter: Greater East Texas

What does ONS mean to you? Everything! Such a wonderful organization promotes advocacy for cancer, it's patients, education and research.

What do you love about oncology nursing? My patients and their families.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse?  18

What is your favorite member benefit and why? IOL and Congress discounts.

Employer: Cancer Care Associates - Yale
City & State: Tulsa, OK
Chapter: Northeast Oklahoma

What does ONS mean to you? Oncology Nursing Society is a great way to network and develop philosophy and professionalism from nurses all over the United States.

What do you love about oncology nursing? I love that I can make a difference in a person's life when it matters the most.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to become a nurse?  13

What is your favorite member benefit and why? Access to continued education and new relationships with peers.