Oncology nursing: five decades of growth

Oncology nursing has evolved as a specialty over the past five decades. The focus of this article is the evolution of oncology nursing discussed within the context of historical changes in the definition of nursing, regulation of the profession, and educational preparation. The specialty has had an orderly progression from on-the-job training to continuing education to academic preparation. The practical and progressive ways in which the professional organizations, oncology nurse educators, and oncology nurse researchers have responded to the needs of cancer patients and families are discussed. Oncology specialty organizations now have a combined membership of approximately 15,000, which attests to the viability of the specialty.     

Oncology nursing protocols: a step toward autonomy

Many professional nurses see the lack of autonomy, an essential element in the definition of a professional, as a deterrent to achieving true professional status. Autonomy in nursing is seen in the context of self-governance, shared governance, and nurses' participation in the decision-making process with regard to patient care problems and/or responses to care. To promote staff nurses' decision-making participation and increase their responsibility and accountability on a 32-bed oncology unit, Oncology Nursing Protocols were developed and implemented.     

Oncology nursing and integrative care: a new way of being

Oncology nursing is a long-established specialty in the practice of professional nursing. The paradigm shift to a more holistic perspective in health care is affecting not only the delivery of care but also the beliefs and value of nurses who work with people experiencing cancer. This article will examine the role of holistic theory and complementary therapies as innovations in nursing education and nursing practice. Suggestions for assessing and planning for an integrative approach to intervention will be discussed. Outcomes from a senior nursing student survey concerning the integration of holistic nursing and complementary therapies will be described. The future offers many challenges for professional nursing as a major player in today's health care system.     

Oncology data management in the UK--BODMA's view. British Oncology Data Managers Association.

Over the past 10 years, the original partnership of clinician and statistician for the running of clinical research projects, especially clinical trials, has come to be supplemented by the data manager and trial coordinator. Increasing numbers of such personnel are now being employed, covering a wide diversity of work areas, including clinical research, medical audit and the cancer registries. The British Oncology Data Managers Association (BODMA) was founded in 1987 and is now in a good position to review the current status of data management in the UK. It is proposed that a national network of data managers and trial coordinators within specialist trials centres, oncology departments and district general hospitals, with a good training programme, plus a recognised career structure, is the way to make the best use of this key resource. BODMA is addressing many of these issues and aims to improve and maintain the quality of data management.     

1991 Oncology Nursing Society Research Priorities Survey.

Documenting current research priorities is an ongoing process that is important to furthering the research agenda of oncology nursing. The purpose of this study was to update and partially replicate previous Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) research priorities surveys. Questionnaires were sent to a convenience sample of 429 ONS members involved in research or in ONS leadership. The response rate was 70% (N = 310). Respondents identified a combination of clinical problems, research issues, and cancer care economic factors among their top 10 research priorities. Quality of life and symptom management consistently were ranked as the highest priority items across all three methods used to rank-order the items. Respondents also provided suggestions for future ONS/Oncology Nursing Foundation small grants and for expansion of current ONS research activities. These findings provide direction for the focus of oncology nursing research by suggesting topics for research, by identifying areas that require additional research funding, by recommending new research activities for ONS, and by promoting research as the basis for oncology nursing practice.