Ready for networking to be less of a concept and more of a reality? As the nationally recognized sphere where talented oncology nursing professionals exchange ideas and practices, Congress makes networking a priority. Your time away from the classroom matters, so lots of time is built into your experience to help you learn from your peers, build your career, and meet some new faces.

Networking Tip #1: Make the exhibit hall your Congress headquarters.

Congress features a bustling exhibit hall that gives you plenty of time for one-on-one dialogue with more than 200 representatives from educational institutions, healthcare groups and advocacy organizations. Sessions and refreshment breaks in the hall give you time to ask questions about the latest cancer treatments, meet with recruiters to find your dream job, and learn about new resources to help your patients. You can earn up to 18 contact hours.

Thursday, April 25
11 am–4:30 pm

Friday, April 26,
8:30–10 am, 11 am–2 pm

Saturday, April 27
9–10:30 am, 11:30 am–2:30 pm

Networking Tip #2: Walk your way through a poster session for CNE.

While you can stroll through hundreds of vibrant displays of local oncology research anytime throughout Congress, make sure to attend the poster sessions when presenting nurses are in place to explain their findings. Poster sessions lend themselves well to new conversation, so bring along your business cards.

Thursday, April 25
Noon–1:30 pm

Friday, April 26
Noon–1:30 pm

Saturday, April 27
Noon–1:30 pm

Networking Tip #3: Take part in a podium session for CNE.

Podium sessions are yet another multidimensional forum where best practices in oncology nursing are traded. These sessions are Q & A-oriented so that you can jump right in and share what you’ve observed in your practice. You’ll be able to pick from approximately 10 sessions to enjoy.

Networking Tip #4: Jump right into a special interest group meeting.

To help you connect with other nurses, several ONS special interest groups (SIGs) meet at Congress to share ideas and experiences with others in the same cancer care subspecialty. SIGs exist for nearly every aspect of the oncology nurse’s career, from treatments and procedures to care settings and career tracks— and if you're new to Congress, they're a great place to start. You can earn CNE at most SIG meetings.

Thursday, April 25
Noon–1:30 pm

Friday, April 26
Noon–1:30 pm, 3:45–5:15 pm

Saturday, April 27
Noon–1:30 pm

Networking Tip #5: Get Social on Facebook and Twitter

Connect to Congress attendees and stay up to date on the ONS Facebook page by clicking “join” on the ONS 38th Annual Congress event page and by following the #ONSCongress hashtag on Twitter. Use social media as your forum to find a roommate, coordinate dinner reservations, learn when other attendees are planning to arrive in Washington, DC, and what their plans are for their free time.

Join the wider social media conversation at any time on the ONS page on Facebook and by following ONS on Twitter. You’ll find a forum that celebrates your profession and brings the world of cancer care straight to you.