2024 ONS Bridge™ Planning Team Shares Insight Into the 2024 Conference
Dedicated volunteer nurses meticulously craft the content of ONS conferences thanks to their passion for oncology nursing. Read on to learn more about the remarkable nurses who are bringing the 2024 ONS Bridge virtual conference to life. And if you come across them on the ONS Bridge discussion boards or in session chats, be sure to say hello and thank them for all their hard work!
Erica Shasteen, RN, MSN/Ed, OCN®, NPD-BC
Planning Team Chair
Director of Clinical Quality and Education
Oncology Consultants
Houston, Texas
What made you want to apply to be part of the Planning Team?
When I decided to volunteer, I was the nurse educator at my current practice, and we had 12 locations across Houston. It's so hard to get everyone together between staffing and geography, not everyone can step away at the same time or travel to meet. I wanted to provide high-quality education virtually. I wanted to learn how ONS engages nurses and find out what I could put in my toolbox. I also have made relationships with the other planning members and speakers along the way. I have reached out to them when I have had questions, hung out with them at ONS Congress®, and gained confidence in my own methods as an educator. I recommend this for anyone who wants to know more about nursing professional development, enjoys meeting like-minded people, and wants to talk with experts.
What can ONS Bridge attendees expect at this year’s event?
My favorite part about ONS Bridge is that it is designed with the bedside and chairside nurse in mind. Every session and speaker are selected based on the current issues and trends observed on the front line. It’s fantastic to have the flexibility to attend sessions in real time, ask the experts questions, and then listen to other sessions of interest later on—or even revisit the particularly engaging ones.
How can attendees share the new knowledge they learned at ONS Bridge with their practice?
I always feel a surge of motivation and excitement after attending a conference—there are so many things I want to share with my colleagues immediately! I suggest making a list of your top two or three priority items and presenting them to your leaders and educators, who can help you get the word out. Additionally, I highly recommend attending Susan Bohnenkamp's session titled "Quality Improvement on the Frontlines." She provides an in-depth look into best practices for implementing changes in the healthcare environment.
Katie Helsel, MSN, RN, OCN®
Planning Team Member
Clinical Specialist
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida
What would you tell a colleague who may be considering whether to attend ONS Bridge?
I would tell a colleague that they should attend ONS Bridge for a few reasons. First, this is a virtual conference that can be attended from anywhere. Secondly, the speakers are content experts, many of whom have written and published journal articles or books. Finally, the amount of continuing education credits you can obtain is awesome for the price of the conference. Plus, the content this year covers a wide variety of topics including USP 800 updates, oncologic emergencies, interventional radiology, and many more. They can expect to expand on core concepts of oncology nursing and learn about updates to oncology care.
How can attendees share the new knowledge they learned at ONS Bridge with their practice?
Attendees can bring knowledge back by speaking with their colleagues and leaders and by joining committees at their organizations. Gathering the evidence from the conference is the first step. Then engaging the right stakeholders to implement the practice is the next. They may need to collaborate with educators, managers, or subject matter experts at their organization.
When I attended a conference last year, I learned about a product that was newer to the market that could help with central line dressing adherence, especially for patients who are diaphoretic. I worked with a colleague to present the product to leaders who approved a trial of the product, which we will be conducting in August of this year, in hopes of using it regularly in the facility.
What inspired you to become an oncology nurse?
I was inspired to become an oncology nurse for two reasons. First, for my love of vascular access. Secondly, for my desire to make a difference in patients' lives every day, even if it was only for a few minutes.
To the next generation of oncology nurses: I would encourage you to become an expert in your department or specialty. Always ask the question "Why?" Be inquisitive and challenge the status quo. The knowledge that you can gain is one of the best ways to advocate for your patients and the care they receive.
Matthew Ortiz, RN, MSN, OCN®, NE-BC
Planning Team Member
Clinic Manager
Allina Health Cancer Institute
Minneapolis, MN
What would you tell a colleague who may be considering whether to attend ONS Bridge?
This is the most accessible and flexible conference you will find. I highly recommend the live sessions to participate in the Q&A. If that doesn't fit your schedule, registering will put the best current oncology nursing updates at your fingertips.
Plus, my favorite part of ONS Bridge is the feeling of connection to a greater community. It’s like you get at a big conference that is fully accessible at home.
How can attendees share the new knowledge they learned at ONS Bridge with their practice?
After attending last year's ONS Bridge, I took a lot of what I learned on new developments in pharmaceuticals and shared it with my team. It highlighted the need for ongoing learning opportunities and ultimately led to us hosting regular education sessions in my department.
What inspired you to become an oncology nurse?
I lost my sister to cancer. The nurse in the room when she died had a huge impact on me. I wanted to do the same for others.
Kasey Wilson, BSN, RN, OCN®, PMP
Planning Team Member
Oncology Project Manager
St. Joseph's/Candler
Savannah, Georgia
How would you describe your experience being part of the ONS Bridge planning team?
Being a part of the ONS Bridge planning team has provided a unique insight into how the challenges experienced by oncology nurses transcend organizational differences. I’ve loved seeing the collaboration across a diverse team of individuals striving to make this a successful and engaging conference.
My motivation for applying was a desire to be a part of something “bigger.” Due to scheduling conflicts, I haven’t had an opportunity to be super active with my local chapter, but the flexibility of the planning committee gave me the opportunity to be engaged with ONS from a different perspective. I would encourage others to join to connect with others (speakers and planning team members), gain a new perspective of the work that goes into coordinating a conference, and to grow in your confidence to collaborate with other professionals.
What would you tell a colleague who may be considering whether to attend ONS Bridge?
There are few conferences you can attend where all the topics are relevant to your practice. ONS Bridge is a conference dedicated to patient-facing nurses. It is also one of the few conferences where you can access the content at your own pace and time, since the content is available to attendees for approximately one month after the official conference dates.
How do you stay current in your practice?
I utilize journal subscriptions, such as the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, to help keep me up to date with evidence-based practice. However, one of the ways I most enjoy staying current is leveraging the ONS Communities to better understand what others are doing within their organizations. While each location is different, it is helpful to not reinvent the wheel and to leverage the knowledge of your peers.
Erin Berghela, RN, OCN®
Planning Team Member
RN
St. Peter's Cancer Treatment Center (Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology)
Albany, New York
What can ONS Bridge attendees expect at this year’s event?
To learn new things to bring into their practice, to enhance their practices and to connect with others! One of my favorite things about ONS’s conferences in general is the opportunity to connect with others who are passionate and want to learn more. ONS does an amazing job of bringing nurses together to engage with each other and learn from each other.
I encourage those who are considering not to hesitate to sign up. Even if you are not able to attend the live sessions, you have access to the recorded ones. I know I will take advantage of that bonus because it's nice to review what I learned.
What is your favorite aspect of ONS Bridge?
I love our session topics. Plus, ONS Bridge is an exciting and comprehensive way to grow your knowledge. It is a fun, interactive way to learn from others. It is also more cost effective if that is a concern of your organization, and hopefully more people from your organization can attend, so you can work with each other after learning about new and exciting practices!
What inspired you to become an oncology nurse?
I was inspired to become an oncology nurse because of my grandmother's cancer battle. It was so overwhelming being on the patient side of it that I wanted to learn more about it. I started in radiation oncology, and my nursing colleague encouraged me to apply to nursing school. It was not something that I had ever thought possible for me, but it has brought me so much passion and joy. The patients are the most wonderful part of it for me. There was a quote that ONCC had shared, and it summarizes exactly what I feel: Joan A. Raducha said, "If cancer is a worst nightmare, a nurse who will stand by you and help you navigate the complex medical world is the best dream." - My grandmother's name was Joan too!
For the next generation of nurses, I would encourage them to keep learning. There is always new information, and if you feel the passion for your career, I think it's easy. It's exciting to learn new skills, apply them to my practice, and evolve within my own practice while keeping patients at the heart of it. I always try to remember that it's someone's mother, father, grandparent, or cherished family member.
We are grateful for the contributions this team has made to ONS Bridge. Register today to join them!
Interested in joining a future ONS Bridge planning team? Applications will be available in the ONS Communities this September.