ONS Bridge™ Planned for Nurses, by Nurses: Get to Know This Year's Planning Team
ONS conferences are meticulously designed and organized by nurses just like you! ONS members generously volunteer each year to form our dedicated planning team.
The team is carefully assembled to ensure representation from diverse oncology nursing practices. Throughout the past year, they have collaboratively worked to incorporate your feedback and select the educational sessions and content for this year’s conference. This involves choosing session topics and titles, evaluating speakers, coordinating session materials such as slides and handouts, and providing guidance to presenters on our virtual platform.
Discover more about the remarkable nurses who are bringing the 2023 ONS Bridge virtual conference to life—take a few minutes to get to know this year's team. And if you come across them on the discussion boards or in session chats, be sure to say hello and thank them for all their hard work!
Colleen H. Erb, MSN, CRNP, ACNP-BC, AOCNP®
Planning Team Chair
Hematology/Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Jefferson Health–Asplundh Cancer Pavilion
Willow Grove, PA
As the team chair, what was most important to you as you led the educational content for the 2023 ONS Bridge conference?
For me, the most important thing in choosing topics and planning the content was to make sure we had topics that impact our work daily, topics that are new and cutting-edge therapies or ways to address our most pressing questions and concerns in our day-to-day work with patients. I think we have a great mix of topics this year and some fabulous presenters and I’m excited to hear what they all bring to the conference.
What is your favorite part about attending ONS Bridge?
Being able to learn from experts in the field—in the comfort of my own home!
How has oncology nursing shaped your life?
I have learned so much from colleagues and patients alike about living life to the fullest and not “sweating the small stuff.” I tried to leave clinical practice for a little while for a job in non-clinical work and realized quickly that I am happiest seeing patients and learning about them and caring for them so their cancer journey is the best it can be. I think I’ve become a much more tolerant person and have realized what the important things in life truly are through working in oncology. And I have had some of the best co-workers and team members in the field.
Erica Shasteen, RN, MSN/Ed, OCN®, NPD-BC
Planning Team Member
Education and Clinical Manager
Oncology Consultants
Houston, TX
What is your favorite part about attending ONS Bridge?
I love attending sessions and listening (and let's be honest—geeking out) about the latest in oncology. Now that I have my first child, who is almost one year old, I am grateful I can attend it from the comfort of my home and learn on my schedule.
What sessions and roundtable discussions are you most looking forward to attending?
I am very excited for the sessions about intersectionality and social determinants of health. These include Transgender Persons with Cancer: What Can We Do Better? on Thursday, September 14, at 11:30 am ET, Caring for Oncology Patients with Physical Disabilities on Thursday, September 14, at 12:45 pm ET, and The Impact of Implicit Bias on the Care of the People with Cancer on Thursday, September 14, at 4 pm ET. I strive to be considerate of the patient's unique needs, and these programs will illuminate facets of care that I am still learning about.
How has oncology nursing shaped your life?
When I was an aspiring nurse, I volunteered in an oncology unit. The nurses and the patients were so kind and willing to share their knowledge. Even though looking back, they were probably very busy! This inspired me to learn more about oncology nursing, and when I learned about the way oncology nurses care for their patients, I was hooked. I have met the best people who continue to motivate me to be the best nurse I can be.
Katherine Helsel, MSN, RN, OCN®
Planning Team Member
Clinical Specialist
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, FL
What made you want to apply to be part of the Planning Team? Why should others consider joining?
I have volunteered with ONS for other opportunities like abstract review and test question writing. It has always been a great opportunity to meet others and grow professionally. When I saw this opportunity, I applied in hopes of learning what it takes to plan a conference. I also wanted the opportunity to help influence what education options are available for attendees.
Others should consider volunteering with ONS to grow themselves professionally, challenge themselves, and to meet other oncology nurses from across the United States.
How do you stay current in your practice?
As a clinical specialist, my focus is evidence-based practice. I frequent the ONS website, journals, and other publications when looking for current practice recommendations. I attend conferences and I am a member of my local ONS chapter.
What sessions and roundtable discussions are you most looking forward to attending?
I am most looking forward to the leadership roundtable. I have a special place in my heart for leadership and helping others grow into leadership roles. I truly believe that leaders do not need to have a manager title to lead others.
I am honestly excited for all the sessions at this conference. We have a wide variety of topics and specialties for all to enjoy.
Lindsay Muratore, OCN®
Planning Team Member
Infusion Nurse, DNP/FNP Student
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD
What made you want to apply to be part of the Planning Team? Why should others consider joining?
I wanted to be more involved in ONS. I’ve been a member for years, but not a very active member. Once I went back to nurse practitioner school, I realized how much of an asset ONS is. I started using their resources to help teach my patients, incorporate into my school assignments, and even communicate with the oncology providers. Once I saw this opportunity, I applied because I wanted to be even more plugged in and network with nursing professionals who truly excel in their career. I’ve met such wonderful people and learned about interesting and diverse topics and how to edit a professional presentation. I appreciate the skills I’ve learned through volunteering, which are much different than typical nursing skills. The team has been wonderful—it is a great experience.
How do you stay current in your practice?
I listen to the Oncology Nursing Podcast and subscribe to the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, and I stay involved in my local chapter as a Board member and attend chapter events. I also do most of my clinical rotations in oncology settings and ask my preceptors for recommendations in published studies to read.
What roundtable discussions are you most looking forward to attending?
The roundtables are so great! The ones I’m most excited for are hosted by the Oncology Nursing Foundation because they provide great scholarship and grant opportunities, as well as Ask the Experts: Oncology Clinical Specialists. Although, I think all the discussions are going to be great. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone there!
Thanks to this year’s team for all they’re doing to bring ONS Bridge to life! Join us for our premier virtual conference, kicking off September 12 and 14, 2023, to earn up to 19.75 NCPD contact hours and connect in real time with experts, colleagues, and industry leaders—all from the convenience of your home or office. Register today!