Announcements

New this year is the opportunity to attend the upcoming Galveston Bay Area Chapter VIRTUAL one day OCN Review Course offered Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 7:30 am to 5 pm.  Please submit a paragraph sharing with us your interest/plans. OCN certification related expenses up to $400 not reimbursed by another entity to include OCN review course, certification review books and certification test fees are eligible for reimbursement. Applications are now open and will close on March 8, 2024 at midnight.

The Houston Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society is offering three competitive Spring scholarships for colleagues interested in the care of patients with cancer. Each $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in May to one undergraduate, one MSN student, and one student pursuing a DNP or PhD.  HCONS membership not required to apply.  Please note individuals cannot receive the same award more than once (i.e., BSN scholarship, MSN scholarship, or DNP/PhD scholarship).  However, as you advance in your educational journey you can reapply to receive a scholarship at the next level:

Application requirements include:

1. A paragraph about your interest in oncology nursing;
2. One letter of faculty support.  Must be from the program where you are currently enrolled.  Please submit online at: https://communities.ons.org/houston/new-item2/faculty-letter-of-support .

The deadline for submission is April 7, 2024 at midnight.  Scholarships will be awarded at the April 17, 2024 HCONS General Membership Meeting.

We are pleased to announce we are offering five (5) competitive scholarships to the 49^TH annual ONS Congress:  Ignite the Extraordinary this year in Washington, D.C.  Registration for the event scheduled for April 24th – 28th is open and you are encouraged to submit one paragraph about why you would like to attend and how you will share the knowledge gained with others. The application process will close on March 1^st  at midnight.  Winners will be notified in time to apply for Early Bird Registration.  

Awards will be paid when original expense receipts (not reimbursed by another entity) are received up to $2,500.  Members may receive this ONS Scholarship award only once. 

We are seeking motivated colleagues to apply for our open Board positions. Opportunities for leadership on the 2024 HCONS ballot include:

·         Secretary

·         Treasurer-elect

·         President-elect

Board meetings are held virtually on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm.  Please contact Colleen Jernigan at cjerniga@mdanderson.org or Zandra Rivera at zrrivera@mdanderson.org if you are interested in helping to support our efforts.

Terms of Office:

President-elect and the Treasurer-elect require a two-year commitment (1/2024-12/2025)

Secretary is a one-year commitment (1/2024-12/2024)

Seeking:

·         Secretary

o   No previous Board experience required

o   Communicates effectively orally, written, and electronically

o   Responsible for agenda preparation

o   Records and distributes minutes

o   Responds to outside correspondence as needed

·         Treasurer-Elect

o   No previous Board experience needed

o    Prefer candidate with skills in banking, bookkeeping, and record management

o   Responsible for monthly financial reporting

·         President-Elect

o   Current or past Board member

o   Responsible for conducting Board and membership meetings in the absence of the President

If you are not able to run for office consider serving on any of our committees:

1.       Education

2.       Legislative

3.       Community Outreach

4.       Communications

5.       Membership

6.       Nominating/Scholarship

7.       Programs/Vendor

8.       Research

We appreciate your support as we seek to engage with ONS to advance oncology nursing practice.

Dear HOUSTON CHAPTER ONCOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY Members,

The Houston Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society is offering three competitive Fall scholarships for colleagues interested in the care of patients with cancer. Each $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in December to one undergraduate, one MSN student, and one student pursuing a DNP or PhD.  HCONS membership not required to apply.  Please note individuals cannot receive the same award more than once (i.e., BSN scholarship, MSN scholarship, or DNP/PhD scholarship).  However, as you advance in your educational journey you can reapply to receive a scholarship at the next level:

Application requirements include:

1. A paragraph about your interest in oncology nursing;
2. One letter of faculty support.  Must be from the program where you are currently enrolled.  Please submit online at: Academic Scholarship Faculty Letter

The deadline for submission is December 4, 2023 and the scholarships will be awarded at the December HCONS Membership Meeting.

Apply here!

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce we will be offering five (5) competitive scholarships to ONS Bridge.  This premier virtual oncology nursing conference is scheduled for September 12^th and September 14^th.  Participants will enjoy two days of live sessions, a bonus day featuring roundtable discussions, and additional access to session content.  Interested members need to submit one paragraph about why you would like to attend and how you will share the knowledge gained with others.  The application process opens today and will close on August 6^th.  Winners will be announced at the August 16^th General Membership Meeting.

Awards will be paid when original expense receipts (not reimbursed from another entity) are received up to a maximum of $209.  Members may receive this ONS Scholarship award only once.  Apply Here!

Each year, ONS recognizes members who display a special commitment to their field. Most award winners receive a cash award, a commemorative plaque and travel reimbursement to attend the annual ONS Congress. The deadline for award nominations in September 30. 

HCONS would like your help in nominating colleagues for these awards. Please contact Terry Throckmorton at tathrockmorton@gmail.com if you have a nominee in mind. 

Distinguished Awards - Recognize individuals for their career achievements and outstanding contributions to cancer care.

Excellence Awards - Recognize individuals for their contributions and achievements in 5 fields of expertise.

Research Lectureships - The prestigious Research Lectureships recognize and support excellence in research and clinical practice via the annual ONS Congress.

Pearl Moore "Making a Difference" Awards - Recognize teams, emerging leaders, direct care nurses and international nurses who have impacted patients with cancer and their communities.

Employer Award - Recognize employers who honor and show exemplary support for registered nurses working in oncology.