Guest Author - Ruby Joiner

The Oncology Nursing Society is a national organization of more than 30,000 registered nurses and other healthcare professionals dedicated to excellence in the field of Oncology. The Oncology Nursing Societys' vision is to lead the transformation of cancer care. The mission is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care. The society works to fulfill this mission by providing nurses and healthcare professionals with access to the highest educational programs, cancer care resource, research opportunities and networks for peer support.

The Oncology Nursing shortage is at a critical level, although nursing shortages have occured before, this time is unlike any previous shortages.Because long term strategies not quick fixes, are essential to preserving the nursing perfession. Todays' healthcare enviroment must shoulder part of the blame for the current nursing shortage. As acute care institutions grappled with managed care cost controls, administrators focused on their nursing departments labor cost--the largest part of the organizations budget.Budgetary cuts with accompanying reductions to staff changed the nurse-patient ratios, overworked staff, and in turn negatively affected quality healthcare.

The publicity associated with the downsizing and replacement of registered nurses with less qualified healthcare workers,as well as the difficult working conditions of RNS who remain employed, has sent a negative message to potential nursing students.Many believe the field of nursing offers few opportunities for young people. The question remains who will care for the increased number of elderly patients over the next 10 to 20 years at a time when the baby boomers in increasing numbers begin to access healthcare facilities for acute and chronic illnesses?