Onc Nurse on Call

S1 Ep15: Protecting the Frontline: The Evolution of Hazardous Drug Safety in Oncology Nursing

In this episode of the Onc Nurse on Call podcast, we dive deep into the clinical aspects of chemotherapy safety. Join hosts Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN as they speak with MiKaela Olsen, DNP, APRN-CNS, AOCNS, FAAN; and AnnMarie Walton, PhD, MPH, RN, OCN, CHES, FAAN; about the transition from "flush and rush" to modern engineering controls like CSTDs. Topics include USP <800> enforcement, the importance of surface wipe sampling, and protecting vulnerable staff during conception and pregnancy.

S1 Ep14: ONS President Jessica MacIntyre on APP Fellows and Survivorship

Guest: Jessica MacIntyre, DNP, MBA, APRN, NP-C, AOCNP Hosts: Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN; and Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN Key Discussion Points: * The APP Infrastructure: Building specialized orientation and fellowship programs for advanced practice providers (APPs) to ensure retention and clinical excellence. * The Evolution of Survivorship: Shifting the definition of "survivor" to begin at the moment of diagnosis and integrating technology to standardize care. * Skin Toxicity Equity: The launch of a groundbreaking image-based database with ONS and La Roche-Posay to improve outcomes for patients of color. * The Next Generation: Advice for new oncology nurses on staying curious, seeking mentorship, and the vast career opportunities within the specialty.

S1 Ep13: Beyond Chemotherapy: Mastering the New ASCO-ONS Antineoplastic Safety Standards with MiKaela Olsen

Episode Title: Beyond Chemotherapy: Mastering the New ASCO-ONS Antineoplastic Safety Standards with MiKaela Olsen Release Date: April 1, 2026 Hosts: Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, and Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN Guest: MiKaela M. Olsen, DNP, APRN-CNS, AOCNS®, FAAN Episode Overview The landscape of cancer treatment is evolving at a breakneck pace. To keep up, the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released a major update to their joint safety standards. In this episode of Onc Nurse on Call, hosts Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, and Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN sit down with MiKaela M. Olsen, DNP, APRN-CNS, AOCNS®, FAAN, clinical program director for oncology at Johns Hopkins Health System and the nurse co-chair for the updated standards. MiKaela shares her inspiring journey from an unexpected start in a military pediatric oncology unit to becoming one of the nation's leading voices in hazardous drug safety. Together, they break down the critical changes in the 2024 update, why the term "chemotherapy" is officially being phased out, and how nurses can maintain rigorous safety protocols across all care settings—including the home. Key Topics Covered * The Shift to "Antineoplastics": Why the traditional word "chemotherapy" is no longer inclusive of modern targeted agents, immunotherapies, and cellular therapies. * Safety Across All Settings: How the new standards apply universally, whether you are administering treatment in a major hospital, an outpatient clinic, or a patient's home. * The 4-Step Verification Process: A breakdown of Domain 3, detailing the independent safety checks required by both pharmacy and nursing before a drug reaches the patient. * Standard 1.7 (The Metric Rule): Why locking scales into kilograms and centimeters and requiring dual-verification for new treatment plans is the new gold standard for preventing dosing errors. * Focus on Equity and Caregivers: How Domain 4 introduces language addressing social determinants of health and keeping home caregivers safe.

S1 Ep12: Navigating the Complex World of Oncology Research With Jamie S. Myers

Welcome to Onc Nurse On Call, the new podcast from Oncology Nursing News, hosted by editors-in-chief Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, and Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN, delivering maximum impact in minimum time. This week, Jakel and Desrosiers are joined by Jamie S. Myers, PhD, RN, AOCNS, FAAN, a research associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Nursing who discusses her career of research in oncology nursing and shares insights on funding, mentorship, and groups to become involved with for nurses who may be new to or interested in research. Her primary body of research focuses on the cognitive effects of cancer and its treatment, often referred to as “chemo brain.” This interest was sparked during her doctoral studies when she heard a former intensive care nurse describe leaving clinical practice because her own cancer treatment-related cognitive changes made her feel she could no longer practice safely.  For nurses interested in beginning their own research, Myers emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration over attempting to work in isolation. Reflecting on her early career, she admits she was “naive” to think she could manage projects alone and advises new researchers to partner with those who are familiar with institutional approvals and stakeholder management. This collaborative approach is essential for navigating the complex processes of various approval bodies and gatekeepers within a facility. In her closing remarks, Myers encourages oncology nurses not to rule out research, even if they are well into their careers. She notes that her own transition into research occurred when she was already a “seasoned nurse.” For those ready to take the step, the field offers a way to meet clinical needs and improve the long-term well-being of patients.

S1 Ep11: Safe Handling Practices in Oncology With Jacqueline Redeemer

Welcome to Onc Nurse On Call, the new podcast from Oncology Nursing News, hosted by editors-in-chief Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, and Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN, delivering maximum impact in minimum time. This week, Jakel and Desrosiers are joined by Jacqueline Redeemer, RN, MN, AOCNS, a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in solid tumor oncology at The University of California, Los Angeles, who shared her experience integrating safe handling practices into her clinic as a CNS. While observing a hepatic arterial infusion procedure in interventional radiology (IR), Redeemer noted that staff were not consistently applying oncology nursing standards. Because the IR department did not frequently administer chemotherapy, there was a misconception that the high-dose melphalan used in the procedure posed minimal risk due to the way it was perfused. Redeemer utilized her CNS training to emphasize that even a small percentage of a highly concentrated dose remaining in systemic circulation required rigorous protection. She noted that the dose being administered was nearly 10 times higher than typical intravenous levels, making the 10% residue a significant safety concern. To address these gaps, Redeemer initiated a collaborative performance improvement project involving pharmacy, environmental services, and IR leadership. A primary challenge was the introduction of closed system transfer devices (CSTDs), which were unfamiliar to the IR team. “All staff that would manage or engage with either administering or handling body excreta or anything after...they needed to be in service and receive education,” Redeemer explained, noting that the training extended to technologists, perfusionists, anesthesiologists, and physicians. “An oncology nurse needs to be at the table at all times when there are decisions about how to administer, handle, or [introduce] new drugs,” she stated. By involving specialized nursing leadership, healthcare systems can ensure that safety standards remain consistent and evidence-based, regardless of the clinical setting or the route of administration.