Evolution and Opportunity

It is my pleasure to start 2011 by adding a new professional responsibility to my rsum, that of Editor-in-Chief of ONCOLOGY Nurse Edition. Although ONCOLOGY Nurse Edition is a relatively new publication, now entering its fifth year, the journal boasts a readership of 15,000 oncology nurses nationwide. Its success can be attributed to the leadership of its founding Editor-in-Chief, Mary McCabe, RN, MA. Mary will continue to be involved with the journal as a member of its stellar editorial advisory board, which represents distinct subspecialty interests within oncology nursing. Not only does the board bring a myriad of expertise to the planning of this publication, but they also are instrumental in its success by virtue of their linkage with colleagues across the country, who contribute articles and ideas based on their mastery of specific topics.

A key lesson learned over my nearly four decade–career in oncology nursing is that change is inevitable within our chosen field. ONCOLOGY Nurse Edition has continued to embrace this theme by addressing topics that will escalate in importance in the coming years. Along with an ongoing review of evolving treatment strategies in cancer care, additional foci targeted in recent issues include survivorship, genetics, and holistic approaches.

In this regard, I have lobbied for the inclusion of two additional features within ONCOLOGY Nurse Edition that augment this publication’s excellence and timeliness. First, a new series, "Care of the Older Adult," will be added. Acknowledging the pressing geriatric imperative of cancer care today and its growing importance in the decades to come, I hope to provide you, our readers, with new and practical information to enhance your clinical practice as it relates to the older adult with cancer. Second, each issue will include a bibliography of recent literature that spans a broad range of interests germane to the oncology nursing readership. This will be provided in recognition of the hectic, fast-paced personal and professional worlds in which we now live. We will attempt to address that reality by keeping you apprised of current findings and some of the best scholarly works available.

One of my favorite quotations comes from our prestigious visionary and founder, Florence Nightingale. She is noted to have said, "Nursing is a progressive art in which to stand still is to go backwards." In our exciting world of oncology nursing, this dictum couldn’t be more true. I look forward to this new chapter of my career and welcome any comments or suggestions that you may have, to help make this publication one that you cannot wait to receive. I send you warm wishes for a successful and productive new year!

- Deborah A. Boyle
Editor-in-Chief