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 

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. After more than 46,000 people signed the petition, Biden appointed Jane Hopkins, RNMH, a nurse from Seattle, to the taskforce. 

Will COVID-19 Get Nurses the Recognition They Deserve? 

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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.
 

The Year of the Nurses' Voice

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.

How to Create a Welcoming Environment for LGBTQ Patients

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. 

https://www.oncnursingnews.com/web-exclusives/a-smiling-nurse-makes-all-the-difference-in-pediatric-oncology

From compassionate listening to syringe water fights, children shared some creative ways that nurses have managed to make their care a bit less scary. 

Capturing the Voice of the Child in Cancer Care

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 

, worked with an interdisciplinary team to create reference sheets containing key information about oncology drugs.

“When they were done with orientation, I didn’t want them to feel like they were alone,” Zeichner said in this interview with 

Reference sheets gave new and experienced nurses alike snapshots of important information.

Chemo Cheat Sheets Help Nurses During Drug Delivery

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 virtual conference. In this podcast, she gives tips on starting the conversation, and discusses some of the science that clinicians can fall back on to broach the subject.

Sexual Health in Gynecologic Cancer: Patients Want to Talk

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 patients with blood cancer, and what oncology nurses need to know. She gives a sneak peek of her upcoming presentation at the NCCN Virtual Annual Congress on Hematologic Malignancies and NCCN Virtual Nursing Forum, a free, online conference October 8-10.


It is crucial that oncology nurses monitor for cardiac complications in their patients with hematologic malignancies. And when one is discovered, they must act.

Cardiac Complications in Blood Cancers

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 is currently an oncology nurse at UCLA, and is pursuing her MSN/NP degree in acute care adult/gerontology. While higher education looks a bit different than what she expected, Budiman is optimistic that nurses will rise to the challenge — as they always do – when it comes to remote learning. 

On Clinicals and Coronavirus: COVID-19 Pandemic Shakes Up Nursing Education

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 these agents.

Sandy also discussed how some irAEs, such as difficulty breathing — which is more common in lung cancer than other tumor types – can be similar to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. She offered advice on how to determine which it is in this unprecedented time in oncology nursing.