Update from the Oncology Nursing Congress held in San Diego, CA May 12-16

Sean T. Walsh | May 20, 2010

In beautiful San Diego, California, oncology nurses from around the world gathered together to evaluate, improve, and celebrate their role in providing patient care. This year's congress was esspecially important for nurse and patient navigators for several reasons.

1. A pre-congress session "Patient Navigation: What it Is and Where it Is Going" was led by an expert panel on Wednesday, May 12. The panel including the Nurse Navigator Focus Group co-contacts Cynthia A. Cantril, RN, OCN^®, MPH and Lori McMullen, MSN, RN, OCN^®, as well as several other navigators. 
    
2. On Thursday, Lori McMullen, MSN, RN, OCN^® led a focus group discussion about the various ways in which the nurse navigators who were present function in their specific health systems. She also informed the group of the application for the formation of a Nurse Navigator Special Interest Group (SIG). 
    
3. The congress attendees had a great interest in navigation. Over 250 oncology nurses stopped by the AONN booth to learn more about our organization, our first annual conference, and about the emergence of navigation throughout the US healthcare system. 
    

Overall the congress was a great experience and we look forward to attending future congresses in the coming years.