This year, the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) had their annual working group meeting in Turku, Finland. This was the first in-person meeting for the Early Career Cancer Nurses (ECCN) Working Group. This workshop took place over a day, bringing together ten early-career cancer nurses from across Europe. This gathering included professionals from Spain, Ireland, UK, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, and Italy, all focused on sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and understanding different approaches to cancer care.
The workshop began with a 'Get to Know You' session, which facilitated personal and professional introductions. This session allowed everyone to share their backgrounds and the healthcare systems where they work. This initial interaction highlighted the common challenges faced across countries and the varied strategies employed to address them.
A key component of the workshop was the planning meeting for future collaborations. During this session, we discussed ideas for ongoing communication and potential joint projects. We identified themes for future blog posts to promote engagement and foster broader interactions with cancer nurses across Europe. The topics covered included highlighting issues in cancer care for early career nurses, promoting the work of EONS through member profiles, and strategies for supporting patients with cancer and their families. The aim is to share knowledge and inspire both colleagues and communities.
The brainstorming session on potential research projects was particularly productive. We explored areas such as patient education, cultural differences in cancer treatment, and research for ECCNs. These discussions were aimed at identifying practical steps for initiating research projects and seeking funding. This reflects our commitment to advancing cancer care through collaborative research efforts.
Understanding different ways of working was a recurring theme throughout the workshop. Each person from a different European country has their own healthcare protocols and cultural contexts, influencing patient care. By learning from each other, we can enhance our practices and offer more comprehensive care to our patients. This exchange of knowledge is critical in our collective mission to improve cancer care across Europe.
The group enjoyed sharing meals with one another, being hosted in the beautiful university of Turku and exploring, by land and sea, the vibrant town in Finland.