Onc Nurse on Call

  While some people face barriers to colorectal cancer screening, at-home fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) can help. For this episode, we heard from Diann Boyd, BSN, RN, OCN, a nurse navigator at the Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center. Boyd specializes in GI oncology and has a passion for ensuring that everyone completes the screening.    Boyd recently presented at the ONS Annual Congress about...

It is well known that fear of recurrence is a major issue in the cancer community, but can genetic test results outlining risk impact those feelings?    For this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Maurade Gormley, CPNP, RN, assistant professor and post-doctoral fellow at the NYU Rory Myers College of Nursing. Her recent research analyzed how Oncotype DX genomic test results may increase fear o...

Provider communication is extremely important, especially when dealing with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. In this episode of “The Vitals,” Bryan A. Sisk, MD, MSCI, assistant professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at the Washington University School of Medicine discusses his recent research on communication barriers between healthcare providers and children with cancer and their families. ...

Clinicians, patients, and caregivers alike all reported that they want cancer to be a communal experience – meaning that they feel that they are supported in the journey. However, certain factors can lead to feelings of isolation.    In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Jody Koenig Kellas, PhD, department chair and professor, interpersonal, family, and health communication at the Univers...

  When it comes to fighting clinician burnout and building resiliency, mindfulness matters. Loren Winters, MSN, ANP-BC, OCN, an oncology nurse practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center and yoga instructor, discusses how oncology nurses can find the mindfulness practice that works for them, and offers simple tips to be more present every day.    Read more about our conversa...

Younger age was associated with an increased instance of fear of cancer recurrence, while a pessimistic outlook was actually associated with a decrease, according to recent research led by Jacqueline Galica, PhD, RN, an assistant professor of nursing at Queen’s University.    In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Galica on her findings, and what role oncology nurses can play in helping su...

Health care providers are facing an increasing amount of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are certain factors that may make some people at a higher risk for distress than others. In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke to Fuschia Sirois, PhD, BSc, SFHEA, reader in social and health psychology at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.    Sirois analyzed clinician stress...

A recent study found that 19% of patients with cancer engaged in nonmedical opioid use. In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with study author Sriram Yennu, MD, MS, FAAHPM, study author and professor in the department of palliative care and rehabilitation medicine at MD Anderson. Yennu outlined the risk factors that he and his team found for opioid misuse, as well as what nurses can do to pro...

As more health care providers and the general public get vaccinated against COVID-19, some people may be tempted to ease up on social distancing and mask-wearing efforts. However, people should continue to take appropriate precautions, especially if they have cancer or care for a loved one with cancer, explained Emily Beard, RN, OCN, CBCN, the program coordinator of breast cancer at Northside Canc...

As more health care providers and the general public get vaccinated against COVID-19, some people may be tempted to ease up on social distancing and mask-wearing efforts. However, people should continue to take appropriate precautions, especially if they have cancer or care for a loved one with cancer, explained Emily Beard, RN, OCN, CBCN, the program coordinator of breast cancer at Northside Canc...

Oncology nurse practitioners are both competent and compassionate, and undergo rigorous academic and clinical training to earn the NP next to their name. However, many states still require them to work under the supervision of a physician. For this episode, we spoke with Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, about...

The World Health Organization deemed 2020 the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. Theresa Brown, RN, deemed it the year of the nurse’s voice.    In this episode, we spoke with Brown, a nurse and best-selling author, about her recent online petition to have a nurse on president-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 task force. She said that now, more than ever, it is vital for nurses to have their voices heard...

Patients who are LGBTQ and have cancer may be more prone to cancer and other health disparities. However, oncology nurses and their colleagues can make a major impact on the care that they receive.  For this episode, we'll hear from Matthew B. Schabath, an associate member of the Moffitt Cancer Center, about steps clinicians can take to create a more welcoming cancer care environment.

A recent study led by Bethany J. Petronio-Coia, PhD, RN, a nurse educator at the Rhode Island College School of Nursing, discovered the characteristics of “approachable” nurses caring for school-aged children who were hospitalized for cancer. From compassionate listening to syringe water fights, they shared some creative ways that nurses have managed to make their care a bit less scary.    Read mo...

The world of oncology is continuously changing, often making it difficult for oncology nurses – especially those who are just starting their career in the cancer setting – to keep up. So, Kellie Zeichner, RN, BSN, OCN, an oncology nurse at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ, worked with an interdisciplinary team to create reference sheets containing key information about oncology drugs.    “When t...

Treatment for gynecologic cancer can negatively impact sexual health, yet many clinicians still feel uncomfortable about discussing these adverse events with their patients.    For this episode of “The Vitals,” we will hear from Christina Wilson, PhD, a doctoral student at the University of Utah. Wilson recently presented on sexual adverse events of gynecologic cancer at the 2020 ONS Bridge virtua...

It is crucial that oncology nurses monitor for cardiac complications in their patients with hematologic malignancies. And when one is discovered, they must act.    In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Brenda Shelton, DNP, RN, APRN-CNS, CCRN, AOCN, a clinical nurse specialist at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. She discusses heart issues that can arise in pa...

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected nursing school at both the graduate and undergraduate level. While online classes may be convenient, a lack of in-person and hands-on training is a clear downside for those learning the trade.    In this episode of “The Vitals,” Jann Budiman, BSN, RN, BMTCN, discusses her experiences with nursing education during the pandemic. Budiman i...

Immunotherapy has become a mainstay in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, but more recently, it has moved into the small cell lung cancer space, too. In this episode of “The Vitals,” Beth Sandy, NP, a nurse practitioner at the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, discusses the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that nurses need to be aware of when treating patients with...

Educational costs in the United States continue to rise, and that could be leaving many nurses wondering if furthering their education is worth it.  For this episode, we talk to Monica Mikheal, MSN, RN, a nurse at UCLA. Despite the debt, she continues to earn degrees. She'll talk about why this is important to her, as well as programs that can help nurses and other health care providers decrease t...

For this episode, we'll talk to Rebecca Bank, BSN, RN, OCN, CHPN, a palliative care and advanced planning nurse at Sansum Clinic Ridley Tree Cancer Center, about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affective palliative care for patients with cancer.  Cancer can already be an isolating time in someone's life, and with the added stress of social distancing, patients may feel even more alone. However, Bank...