Hello to all who are reading! My name is Olivia and I am applying to be Boston ONS’s Program Chair. Thank you for reading my story and considering me for this role. 

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My oncology nursing story began with chance. Before becoming a nurse, I was hired as a PCA in my oncology unit. The hours worked well for me while I pursued my BSN, the hands-on experience was coveted, and the location wasn’t too far from home, so I accepted the role. I knew little about oncology other than that it felt like it carried less weight than “cancer.” But chance and convenience soon turned into a love and passion for the oncology patient population. And I knew that this place where suffering, anxiety, and sorrow met beauty, comfort, and gratitude was where I wanted to be. Two years since beginning this nursing journey, my passion has only grown. I’ve since become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse and was selected to be a West Health Program champion with the goal to improve care for geriatric patients through a year-long QI project. These achievements are merely a glimpse of the many I strive to accomplish in my nursing career. 

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A big part of my career growth can be attributed to ONS, and I would love to give back to BONS by being part of the leadership team as the Program Chair. I was drawn to ONS for (1) the learning opportunities. From hearing about the importance of multidisciplinary care and the many ways people are touching the lives of cancer patients and their families during conferences to learning about state-of-the-art drugs and the pathophysiology of cancer in educational programs, my attendance at BONS programs since early in my career has opened my eyes to the art and science of oncology patient care. I was also drawn to ONS for (2) the members who share this enthusiasm for oncology care, love for patients, and lifelong learning. I’ve been inspired by people who have this vivacity to improve the face of oncological care and go beyond the roles and responsibilities of their jobs. My enthusiasm for this society will drive me to provide opportunities for members to learn and apply themselves in new ways. 

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To this role, I will bring experiences I’ve honed since high school, where I collaborated with non-profit organizations to organize volunteer events for students. In college, I continued to be a leader in various clubs and societies, often working with a team to bring programs to other students. For instance, I was my Sigma Theta Tau chapter’s leadership intern. After approaching Sigma's United Nations Youth Representative at a conference, I partnered with her to inspire student nurses to participate in WHO’s Sustainable Development Goals. I organized the seminar event from start to finish; I worked with the representative on developing the topic and organizing event logistics – such as event time, modality, and format – promoted the event through emails and flyers, and facilitated the seminar. I have initiative, good communication and collaborative skills, and punctuality that will allow me to help guide BONS programs. And I will continue to work hard to gain more skills as I work with other leaders and committee members.

Having the privilege to attend the recent Program Committee meeting, I was overjoyed at the energy of the group. It was exciting to brainstorm ideas together and participate in the planning process to actualize these ideas. I shared my own thoughts on how to create experiences where members can meet one another, engage in insightful discussions, learn, and have fun. If I have the privilege of being BONS’ Program Chair for this coming term, I will be committed to furthering our mission and fueling our passions. Thank you for your consideration!