Spring 2011
[SIERRA NEVADA ONS CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
Edited by: Carla Brutico RN, OCN bruticoc@gmail.com
Happy Spring! A time for Renewal
It is officially Spring; when will the snowy weather end!? I am sure most of you are anxiously awaiting
the “turn” to warmer days. Spring is a time of renewal – why not think about bringing something new
to your professional development?
Perhaps you have been thinking about becoming more active in state and national legislative
efforts. Go to www.ons.org and join the Legislative Action Center. It is so EASY to make your voice
heard. There are many ways to help cancer patients and survivors by acting through legislative
avenues.
Is your facility readying for ACoS accreditation (first or subsequent)? Join the ACCC Buzz online listserve. You can ask questions as well as monitor questions from other practices/institutions regarding
the sweeping changes in the standards. Go to www.accc-cancer.org to get started.
For a real immersion into the new standards, consider attending ACoS Survey Savvy being held
September 15-16 in Hollywood, California. Registration for this event will open this fall. For details, go
to www.facs.org/cancer/schedule/meetcon.html
As the Nike commercial says: “Just do it”.
National ONS News
Are you attending the 36th Annual ONS Congress in Boston? It is being held 4/28 thru 5/1. Please
consider being a “reporter” and write a short review of a session that you attend. It will be included in
the summer newsletter. You can submit items for the newsletter to the editor at email above.
Educating cancer patients after their diagnosis usually falls to the oncology nurse. The new issue of
Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing has an article on a quality improvement project on this topic.
Go to http://ons.metapress.com/content/j27748r57t128647/ to access (you need a password/it’s
free for members).
The March issue of ONS Connect contains an article discussing the pros and cons of part-time and
full-time schedules for oncology nurses. If you have been thinking of changing your schedule, check
it out.
St. Mary’s Hospital News
Submitted by Susan Drossulis
St. Mary’s just received their National Breast Center Certification and held a community celebration
on December 16th. The event, called Think Pink Celebration, was held at the Center for Health
Building on the Saint Mary campus. Local dignitaries supported the event and breast cancer survivors
were among the speakers. Over 500 people came out to support the event and received a pink
beanie to commemorate the occasion. Festivities culminated with two base jumpers rappelling
down the side of the Center for Health as they unfurled two giant announcement banners! The
Galena High School Jazz band provided music for the event. St. Mary’s is the first and only
accredited breast center in the state. A rigorous accreditation process was successfully navigated to
receive this distinction.
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Spring 2011
[SIERRA NEVADA ONS CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
The inpatient nursing unit at St. Mary’s went to a 4:1 patient/nurse ratio as of December 31st for both
day and night shift. This is going to enhance the quality of care already being provided to patients.
St. Mary’s inpatient Oncology unit is excited to announce that Beth Ahart-Valk joined the leadership
team in the role of Clinical Supervisor as of December 20, 2011. Beth is an active member of our
chapter as well as national ONS.
Carson Tahoe Cancer Center News
Submitted by Zita Waclo & Michelle Thomas
Ambulatory Infusion Center Charge Nurse, Virginia “Gini” Fletcher RN, OCN, attended the ONS
Institutes of Learning in Orlando (November 2011) and completed the Cancer Chemotherapy Train
the Trainer course. She has been appointed as an official trainer for the ONS Cancer Chemotherapy
and Biotherapy Course. Michelle Thomas will become a trainer for this course as well upon her
completion of the course in Boston in conjunction with ONS Congress. Gini and Michelle will present
the course together for Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center nurses in both inpatient and
outpatient oncology units. Nurses completing the course will be certified by the Oncology Nursing
Society, benefitting the hospital, nurses and patients. The next course will be presented on May 26-27
at the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center.
Cancer 101 is a free seminar series on cancer-related topics presented to the community. The next
topic will be Head & Neck Cancers and will feature a free oral screening to attendees. This
presentation will take place Wednesday, May 25 at 4 pm in the cancer center. To attend or to refer
patients, please call (775) 445-7508.
The Lilly Oncology “Oncology on Canvas” art exhibit will be featured at the Carson Tahoe Cancer
Center in conjunction with Survivor Day, the 1st week of June. To learn more about “Oncology on
Canvas, visit http://www.lillyoncologyoncanvas.com . Call the Carson Tahoe Cancer center at 4457500 for more information.
VA Hospital, Reno News
Submitted by Mary Lynch, RN – Supervisor Outpatient Specialty Clinics
Ana Boekenoogen passed her OCN test in November of this year. Our outpatient clinic is now at 83%
certified nurses!!! We hope to hit 100% this year.
We are in the planning stages for a new Specialty Clinics building which will incorporate a new
chemo/infusion suite. We hope to plan with all the newest concepts. I may be “picking the brains” of
our wonderful community to see what has worked for you and what has not and what you all would
wish for.
What is the Value of Belonging to a Professional Organization?
How many professional organizations do you belong to? ONS is the obvious answer but have you
considered other, non-nursing organizations? Why should you? Carla Brutico RN, OCN, our chapter
secretary and newsletter editor, will present a short talk on this topic at our next chapter meeting
which takes place on Thursday, April 14th, at Brick’s (registration 6 pm) sponsored by Genentech.
Please RSVP (per your email) and plan to attend for an educational program on NHL as well as
information about professional organizations.
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Spring 2011
[SIERRA NEVADA ONS CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
Something to think about
It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the
light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens
And, one more thing
It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know
what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain
As always, please consider submitting news and items to the next newsletter.
Carla Brutico – editor
bruticoc@gmail.com
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