Colleen M. O'Leary Discusses Evidence-Based Practice in Oncology Nursing

Colleen M. O'Leary, RN, MSN, AOCNS, clinical nurse specialist, head & neck cancers, coordinator, nursing evidence-based practice, The James Cancer Hospital, The Ohio State University, discusses evidence-based practice in oncology nursing.

O’Leary says oncology nurses are looking into a variety of areas to improve, including how to best educate patients. Specifically, gynecologic oncology nurses are working to better educate patients on sexuality, as this can be an uncomfortable subject for both patients and nurses.

Other areas of interests include improving central line treatment, product issues, and improving nurses themselves, O’Leary says. A study was conducted at The James that set up aromatherapy at the nurses’ station to help decrease stress. If proven to be beneficial, aromatherapy could be used in patients’ rooms, O’Leary says.