ONS strives to maintain a cultural balance when considering its leadership, educational programming, product offerings, and events, and will continue to pursue excellence and the expectations of its membership, regardless of who they are.

The bulk of ONS’ membership is made up of a diverse group of professionals who represent a variety of professional roles, practice settings, and subspecialty practice areas. Registered nurses, including staff nurses, advanced practice nurses, case managers, educators, researchers, and consultants, and other healthcare professionals, all benefit from membership in ONS.

An Affecting Core Value
Inclusiveness is one of ONS' core values that encompasses diversity in projects, membership, student programs, leadership positions, and providing resources for nurses to meet the needs of their diverse patient populations. ONS is committed to this value, which is reflected throughout the organization and promotes initiatives geared to ensure cultural competence.

ONS also focuses much work on developing programs that address healthcare disparities in minority populations.

The ONS Board convened a Multicultural Task Force in 2005 that has provided specific recommendations on improving and developing ONS’s multicultural programming. ONS will be implementing many of their findings in 2006 and posting them on this virtual community...so stay tuned!.