Code of Conduct

LAST UPDATED: March 29, 2023

Oncology Nursing Society (“ONS”) fosters engagement, collaboration, community, and conversations in a diverse and open learning environment at its events, both live and virtual.    

Nursing is seen as one of the most trusted and ethical professions. As such, we hold our attendees to a high standard and expect them to demonstrate integrity, courtesy, and respect for others throughout our events.   

ONS believes that everyone—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, or religion—should be free from inappropriate behavior. ONS will not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind, whether in-person, online or via social media, or in violation of any applicable federal, state, or local laws.    

Inappropriate behavior is behavior that is contrary to ONS’s mission and contrary to the spirit of its events. Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to, harassment, offensive comments (related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, religion, or otherwise offensive), sexual imagery, obscenity, intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography, or recording, disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate or unwelcome physical or sexual contact or attention, derisive comments, and unwelcome solicitation or sales. Advocating for, or encouraging, inappropriate behavior is also considered inappropriate. Participants asked to stop any inappropriate behavior are expected to comply immediately.   

ONS may, in its sole and absolute discretion, take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to enforce this code of conduct. These actions include, but are not limited to, expelling an individual from an event or revoking event credentials, in any case without a refund. ONS will also cooperate with law enforcement as appropriate.   

Reporting: If you are at an in-person ONS event, please report inappropriate behavior to an ONS staff member, who can be identified by his or her navy blue ONS logo shirt or sweater. If you are participating in a virtual event, you can report inappropriate behavior by emailing help@ons.org. For emergencies, call 9-1-1 immediately. Notifying ONS does not constitute or replace a notification to law enforcement.