Oncology Nurses Are Champions Every Day

Oncology nurses embody the meaning of excellent supportive care. And in this issue, we celebrate 2 oncology nurses who have exemplified excellence not only in their daily practices but especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In our Oncology Nursing Champion section, we recognize the accomplishments of Lisa Cusaac, MSN, RN, OCN, of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and Kathleen Lutz, NP, NP-BC WH, of NYU Langone Health.

Welcoming work environments foster nurses who work to the best of their ability. Our cover story on oncology nurse bullying and violence in the workplace addresses questions regarding nurse safety and offers insights into how to maximize safety and security to ensure the happiness and productivity of the oncology nurses who work there.

Also in this issue, we dive into how playing music can positively affect a patient’s experience during painful procedures and we explore how meditation can help combat burnout for health care providers working in hospice settings. We urge readers to be on the lookout for altered mental states—their own and that of their friends, family, and colleagues—following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our continuing education (CE) section covers updates presented at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. Head over to OncNursingNews.com after reading the content and take the online quiz to earn CE credit. Our goal at Oncology Nursing News® is to keep nurses up-to-date not only on the latest clinical advancements but also on the evolving world of health care in general. Our medical economics section takes a hard look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the health care industry. We also detail recent notable FDA approvals in our Medical World News® section.

Burnout and mental distress are prevalent in health care settings and can bring a load of heavy consequences. If you or your coworkers have experienced stress and fatigue, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not alone. Read on for information to help identify signs, combat distress, and create healthy work environments to protect yourself and your team.