ACONS NEWS January 2015 Newsletter WWW.ACONS.VC.ONS.ORG President s Message As 2015 begins I am excited to be the President of ACONS again. This past year has taught me so much in regard to the chapter, its members and what we do as a community. Our chapter completed 25 years last May and presented its 6 th Symposium. We continue to grow in membership to 150 +. What this tells me is that as an organization we are increasingly touching more and more people in our community. This year the Board has voted to make a few changes to how we serve you as well as the community as a whole. We have a very healthy bank account and want to use more of it to serve our patients. As of today we have given 20 seats to Breast Cancer survivors to attend the Nancy Floyd Hayworth Luncheon Event coming this March. They will be able to attend the symposium and then have lunch with others as they hear Joan Lunden tell her story, as she currently is in treatment for Breast Cancer. We will also be supporting GCAP with a table of 10 as they continue to support women with Gynecologic cancers. We have decided that our membership needs to grow and that the monthly meetings are meant to educate everyone so we are continuing the monthly raffles at no charge to those in attendance and we will not charge for attendance at the meeting for nonmembers. We want to encourage everyone to attend and learn. We hope that by this attendance people will see the benefits of being a national ONS member. The benefits include a monthly magazine that is packed with wonderful articles of the newest developments in medicine and nursing care for patients. In addition members have access to annual meetings across the country that are less expensive for members, and they are eligible for grants and scholarships. Locally those scholarships are as much as $750 to help with travel, pay for CEU s and support those interested in research or abstracts and much much more. We are an organization made up of its members for its members. We listen to your feedback and create meetings that support those requests. So as this year unfolds please take the time to come join us on the 3 rd Tuesday of every month and enjoy your fellow Oncology Nurses as we learn together how to better serve our patients. Feel free to contact me or any Board member if you have questions or are interested in getting involved in anyway. Sincerely, Barbara Kraft, BSRN, MBA/TM 2014-2015 President Aconsnm@gmail.com BOARD MEMBERS President-Barbara Kraft, RN, BSN, MBA/TM President Elect-Janice Schwartz, RN, BSN, OCN Treasurer- Lisa Feely, RN, BSN Secretary-Pam Davies, RN Membership Chair-Janell Morris, RN, BC, ANCC- Pediatrics Program Chair -Melissa McLaughlin, RN, MSN, OCN Nominating Chair- Cyndie Fierro- Trujillo, RN Community Liaison-Astrid Lugowski, RN Webmaster-VC Administrator Eric Mehringer, BSBA
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 2 Janice Schwartz President Elect ONS Member since: 1999 ACONS Member since: 2014 Where are you currently working and in what capacity: New Mexico VAHCS as a cancer care coordinator tasked to develop a survivorship program for Veterans. What directed you toward Oncology Nursing? I had intended to be a labor and delivery nurse when I entered nursing school. However, my experience on the L&D unit was far from expectations. It was very depressing with State agencies waiting to take away newly born babies, IV drug abused babies, babies having babies, and telling parents their babies were born with anomalies, or worse yet that they did not survive. Lost as to what I would become, I began floating to various departments. I remember sitting at the nurses station and learning of a patient diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer during shift report. Then I heard laughter coming from that very patients room. I knew at that moment I wanted to work in Oncology. I requested that nurse as my preceptor and that patient assignment. I listened to his story as he validated his life. He was recently widowed and had been building a boat for several years in a northern state and named the boat after his wife. His dying promise to her was to cross the bar of the Pacific Coast, only he suffered a seizure and was hospitalized on the coast instead: facing his own death. During the 6 weeks of radiation, I was his nurse and we built that nurse-patient relationship I had only read. Oncology nursing is like no other. Being a part of someone s life and sharing their most vulnerable moments, is beyond the expression for description. Upon his discharge, I had arranged for the Coast Guard Axillary to launch the boat with him at the wheel and he crossed the bar. Seeing the joy and appreciation for the little things, we as nurses can do to improve quality of life. That is why I became an oncology nurse, and I have never regretted my decision. Tell us about an accomplishment you are particularly proud about when working with cancer patients? In 2005, I accepted a new position in Lawrence, Kansas and was amazed with the caliber of nurses in the oncology center. Each nurse maintained OCN credentials and possessed a passion for oncology. The only thing missing was easy accessibility to an ONS Chapter to maintain and augment their oncology knowledge. I founded an ONS CHIP and was granted Chapter Charter for the Lawrence Sunflower ONS Chapter in 2006. Founding the Chapter has been my most treasured accomplishment: providing a means to give back to both community and colleagues. What would you like to tell nurses who are interested in working in Oncology? I recruit students and nurses whenever I have the opportunity. It has been most rewarding helping patients through the cancer trajectory providing comfort, compassion, and clarity as they reach acceptance. What is the lasting impression you hope to make on your patients? Trust. Thrust to discuss fears, ask questions, and share memories. Each patient withholds a story well worth listening. Who in your world is most proud of you? My husband, son, daughter, and my oncology mentors. Is there an area of interest that you would like to pursue someday? I am currently working on my Master s Degree and would like to educate oncology nurses at the academic level upon completion. After I retire, I plan to use that degree and work as a traveling oncology nurse educator. Job Opportunities UNM Cancer Center Presbyterian Cancer Center 1 RN Infusion Nurse 1 RN Clinic Nurse 1 Medical Assistant Multiple NP/PA Oncology Practice Specialists 1 RN Infusion Nurse Supervisor 1 Medical Assistant
3 25 th Year of Supporting New Mexico Oncology Nurses May 2014 Congress of the United States House of Representatives Barbara Kraft, RN, BS, MBATM, CCRP President, Albuquerque Chapter Oncology Nursing Society (ACONS) 125 Enterprise Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15275 Dear Ms. Kraft and Members of the Albuquerque Chapter Oncology Nursing Society: I would like to recognize the Albuquerque Chapter Oncology Nursing Society (ACONS) as they host their 6th Annual Southwest Regional Oncology Nursing Symposium. For the last 25 years, ACONS has cultivated a legacy of excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care. Whether it is through the excellent educational opportunities, which is the primary educational framework for nurses providing care to cancer patients, or the vast resources available, ACONS continues to lead in pioneering new practices and techniques for future generations of health care professionals. It is each and every one of you - the members, who work tirelessly day in and day out. You illuminate the lives of our ailing friends and family members and transform healthcare initiatives aimed at cancer research and treatment. I am grateful for the great work you do every day and it is an honor to have such a dedicated group of individuals in the 1st Congressional District of New Mexico. As someone who has spent my career advocating for patients, I personally recognize the importance of the care-giver in the greater context of health care. At the age of2, my sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The lifetime caps on her health insurance were quickly exhausted, and her care was left to our family until she died at the age of 21. Since then, I have worked tirelessly in the state of New Mexico and now in Congress to address the issues that plague patients in our state and around the country. A crucial part of these issues is the growing complexity of our health care system and addressing the increasing demand for accessible, high- quality health care. It is refreshing to know we have collaborative and sophisticated oncology nurses at ACONS that are well equipped to manage and tackle these health care challenges now and in the future. There are many Albuquerque Chapter Oncology Nursing Society members that have worked to make the organization as successful and respected as it is today. I want to congratulate all the members for their achievements, and especially acknowledge Chapter President Barbara Kraft and President-Elect Janelle Morris. Under their leadership, I have no doubt that ACONS will continue to reach new heights and develop novel ideas for oncology practices in this country. Congratulations to ACNS, the members, and all those who are here today to commemorate more than 25 years in the service of others and the 6th Annual Southwest Regional Oncology Nursing Symposium - this is a truly special milestone. Sincerely, Michelle Lujan Grisham Michelle Lujan Grisham Member of Congress 25 years serving the Nurses in NM and the Community
4 Caption 2 style is used to add picture captions. Captions are in text boxes for easy placement ACONS HELPING relative to images. THE COMMUNITY Children s Grief Center of New Mexico sent us a letter of thanks for the meal we provided during the holidays. Casa Esperanza thanks ACONS for providing them kitchen supplies for their facility. As a result of our December collection of Kitchen items we provided Casa residents with new cookware, towels, utensils, pillows, and much more. They were extremely grateful for the gifts.
5 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN PITTSBURG Each year ONS pays for one member of the Chapter Board to attend this important weekend. ACONS supports the other member in attending this very valuable event. Last year Janell Morris and Lisa Feely attended. Lisa Feely, ACONS Treasurer 2014-2015, and Janell Morris, ACONS 2014 President Elect, now 2015 Membership Chair, were honored to represent New Mexico at the National Oncology Nurses Society Leadership Conference held in Pittsburgh, PA last July 25-27, 2014. Over 300 nurses from most of the 50 USA states attended the conference, whose purpose was to help nurses learn more about the leadership role within the Oncology Nurse Society and to help nurses take back to their own local chapters ways to maximize the success and involve nurses in community service and education. The weekend was packed with many workshops, information booths, networking opportunities, banquets, and even dancing and fun free-time activities to energize and inspire the ONS members who attended. We were amazed and enlightened to learn how ONS supports and educates nurses who work in oncology practices and offers the many benefits of learning, participating, and sharing our knowledge through community service and education. ACONS was recognized as being an ONS chapter for 25 years and we proudly accepted the award at the Parade of States opening event. Attending the ONS Leadership Conference gave us a deeper appreciation and understanding of this organization on the national level, as well as a better understanding and commitment to our local ACONS chapter. We appreciate the opportunity ACONS gave us to attend the ONS Leadership and the inspiration and desire to want to be part of this meaningful professional organization. We would like to challenge other ACONS members to take the plunge to become more involved in our organization, make friends, and enjoy helping others. We are glad to have you come and welcome your involvement. GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR ONS MEMBERS Congress in April-Awarded to Janice Schwartz and Sandee Razner Scripps 35 th Annual conference in Feb-$750 for 2 different members 10- up to $100 for ONS on line CEU s 10-ONS memberships 2-$500 nursing student scholarships 2-$500 advanced degree scholarships
6 6 th Annual ACONS Symposium This year s event drew 79 professionals from all over NM and surrounding states. It was the first year for the GCAP award which celebrates nurses furthering their education and care for patients by giving a grant of $500 to a nurse who presents an abstract or research they have done. The first year s award went to Andrea Solano & Susan Sanchez for their work on Empathy in Nursing. We had some very exciting topics which created a dilemma for some people who wanted to attend ALL of the workshops. We hope to work on that issue this year. Attendees received 6.5 CEU s and left laughing at the end of the day after doing Laughter Yoga. 2015 Symposium will be slightly different based on the feedback we received from you. Stay Tuned.. THE FUTURE OF NURSING ACONS will be reaching out to the local nursing schools to generate interest in Oncology. The future nurses need to know how wonderful Oncology is so we are able to sustain our practices and our staffing. If anyone is interested in this project please contact a Board member.
7 SAYING GOODBYE Audrey Sniegowski has been either President Elect, President or Past President since 2010. She is seen here receiving her parting gift from the Board. She writes: Thanks to you and the whole board for the lovely Nambe vase. It is so unique and I love it! It has been a pleasure to work with ACONS and to serve all the great oncology nurses that come to ACONS meetings and events. I want to thank you again and wish you the very best year! I learned so much along the way and really learned from going to ONS what a great community of oncology nurses we have in the US. I was originally involved in the Madison, WI chapter and went to ONS Congress in 1987. ONS has come a long way! Also I am proud that we have such a great chapter and can provide a symposium yearly! It is a lot of work and truly amazing that we can do it yearly. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Board meeting January 2015