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EONS Strategic Plan

The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) was established in 1984. The mission of the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) is to add value to the work of its individual members and societies in delivering care to patients with cancer. EONS is dedicated to developing and promoting the practice of cancer nursing in Europe through educational, research, and practice-based initiatives.

Context of Strategic Plan

The strength of EONS comes from its co-operation with a range of multidisciplinary and patient organisations with which it collaborates to optimise the nursing contribution to cancer care in Europe - a goal which can only be achieved through effective two-way communication with individuals and national oncology nursing societies who make up the membership of EONS. The Society recognises the diverse aspects of nursing across Europe and strives to work towards equitable basic training and continuing education for nurses in the area of cancer nursing. To this end, EONS enhances educational programmes through an accreditation programme, initiates clinical projects and provides support for nursing research. The activities of EONS are directed toward empowering cancer nurses to attain due recognition as specialists.

Vision

Moving forward together to realize the potential of cancer nursing across Europe.

Values

• Inclusive
• Supportive
• Credible
• Practical
• Effective

Mission

The Mission of EONS is to promote a healthier future for people affected by cancer, ensuring that they will benefit from the care of well educated, perceptive and proficient cancer nurses.

The Strategic plan

The EONS Board reviewed and updated the Strategy during the EONS Board meeting November 2011. The review focused on assessing the changing educational needs of cancer nurses and the changing environment in which they are working.

The Strategic C A R E plan

The CARE strategy is based on:

• Communication
• Advocacy
• Research
• Education

The CARE strategy provides the board with a framework to organise the work packages within as well as an organisational structure to present to the outside world that relates to our mission statement. Following the advisory board meeting we need to think about our short term goals and the projects that will be completed during this financial year. However we need to look further than our own terms to plan a future strategy. This will help current planning but also focus the future scope and longer term planning required by the organisation to shape itself to meet the continuing challenges that face its members

A working group is linked to each of the four CARE strategic areas. The terms of reference, objectives, activity plans and members of the each Working group can be found on the webpage www.cancernurse.eu.

The amended strategic plan is shown below.

Communication

Promoting a sense of community amongst cancer nurses across Europe is a central aim of the work of EONS and communication is central to this process. Communities commonly have shared values, goals and experiences and we believe cancer nurses benefit from having a shared voice and a focus for their individual and professional ambitions through EONS. By communicating effectively we will ensure that nurses are able to access relevant information and support as well as share their concerns and achievements. As a result EONS will promote collaborative working with our members, associated societies, user group representatives and supporters for the benefit of all.

The communication working group

EONS communicates regularly with its members through a variety of tools and services.

The monthly newsletter is emailed direct to members and provides the latest updates on European news, events, projects as well as other useful information sources. The quarterly magazine examines a different theme in each edition, providing a library of resources that builds with time. The magazine can be downloaded direct from this site. EONS hosts a specialist congress each year. In odd numbered years EONS develops its Spring congress; this European nursing event moves from country to country around Europe and provides specialist workshops addressing nurses unique training needs in the areas of research and clinical practice. In even numbered years EONS nurses develop the Oncology Nursing Track programme for the European Multi-disciplinary Cancer Congress programme as well as contributing the nursing voice to the Symptom Science, Onco-Policy and Education Tracks.

Advocacy

EONS promotes nursing in European health policy, raising awareness of the role of oncology nurses in the delivery of high quality cancer services. The society promotes leadership at European, national and local level to strategically influence, health care delivery and the development of nursing within cancer care.

EONS is one of the professional cancer societies that form part of the umbrella organisation renamed EMCC in 2011 (European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress) previously known as ECCO. The organisation provides a collective political voice in Europe. EONS is also a member of several other organisations, such as ESNO (European Specialist Nurses Organisation) which consists of associations from both European Nursing Specialist and Nursing Interest Groups, and UICC. EONS has MoU (Memorandium of Understanding) with several organisation, such as ISNCC, ONS,ECPC and MASCC.

Research

Promoting evidence based clinical practice through research has always been a core function of EONS. EONS aims to ensure that the profile of oncology nursing research is increased throughout Europe and encourages practitioners to become researchers with support in funding, mentoring, publication and dissemination of results.

Various grants are distributed through EONS to promote and facilitate research initiatives. One of the priorities is to develop an European cancer nursing research network which will enable wider collaboration, participation and sharing of research evidence as well as build a body of research and development expertise.

In summer 2011 EONS held a research workshop with great success, and will repeat this for the coming year.

EONS has an official journal, the European Journal of Oncology Nursing (EJON), which is published five times a year.

Education

Education is very important in Oncology since treatment, prevention, detection and late outcomes are moving forward. EONS is committed to educational initiatives which enable cancer nurses to develop new skills and knowledge for practice, relevant to 21st century cancer care.

EONS should share expertise in relation to educational expertise and practice development and support clinical initiatives that promotes education.

EONS educational projects, toolkits and guidelines offer cancer nurses practical evidence and guidance on best practice, which can be used to improve quality outcomes for patients.

In short, EONS ensures that European cancer patients and their families will benefit from the care of well educated, perceptive and proficient cancer nurses.

A key part of the work of EONS is helping cancer nurses across Europe develop their professional skills and knowledge.

EONS achieves this in a variety of ways:

Accreditation

Each year, EONS accredits a range of continuing education courses, training events, conferences, self-study and distance learning materials. In doing so, EONS works to ensure that quality of education opportunities that are made available to cancer nurses throughout Europe, and that nurses are given the professional recognition they deserve.

Defining the nursing curriculum

EONS has been leading the development of the Post-basic Curriculum in Cancer Nursing since 1991. The forth education of this curriculum, will be released in 2012. The curriculum provides a flexible framework for nurses to adapt to meet their individual and professional needs within their own country.

Education projects

EONS also undertakes a range of specialist projects, providing training and support materials to develop the skills and knowledge of nurses in Europe.

Online learning

EONS has begun to develop online learning materials enabling those nurses who are unable to attend events and contribute

The group has other educational initiatives such as the ESO/EONS master class 2012, and plan 2 new Grand rounds for 2012.