Lymphedema SIG Application

Remember, as an ONS national member, you are entitled to one free SIG membership. To join an additional SIG, please complete and return the following application:

SIG Membership Application

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a national organization of more than 33,000 registered nurses and other healthcare professionals dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching, research and education in the field of oncology. A prime goal of ONS is to provide a network of peer support and exchange for oncology nurses. To do so, ONS introduced a formal structure of Special Interest Groups (SIG) to facilitate networking of ONS members in an identified subspecialty or interest area. The Lymphedema Management SIG was established in 1991.

Lymphedema SIG Mission Statement

Oncology nursing exists to provide optimal care to persons with an actual and/or potential diagnosis of cancer. As secondary lymphedema is often a neglected condition that can result from cancer treatment, and if left untreated can compromise the quality of life of cancer patients, the Lymphedema Management SIG is dedicated to increasing the awareness regarding lymphedema among nurses and patients.

• To promote nurse education regarding the existence, prevention, and management of lymphedema.
• To promote patient education regarding the existence, prevention, and management of lymphedema.

Activities

The Lymphedema Management SIG has chosen several activities to fulfill its goals, including developing articles for related SIG newsletters and the ONS Press, and leading roundtable discussions and participating in instructional sessions at Institutes of Learning and at the ONS Annual Congress. The SIG will establish a work group to develop patient education materials, and will consider planning a future work group to explore the feasibility of a multi-disciplinary conference.

Benefits/Communication

The SIG meets once per year during the ONS Annual Congress. Lymhedema Management SIG leaders communicate regularly with SIG members through written communiques, and through a newsletter. The newsletter features timely articles on lymphedema and related nursing topics, a clinical notes column, reports on national educational events related to lymphedema, and reports on SIG projects and activities.

Membership Requirements

All SIG members must be members in good standing of the national Oncology Nursing Society. ONS members receive one free SIG membership. Additional SIG memberships are $15 each.