Save the date for our 46th Annual PSONS Symposium!
Saturday, October 18th 2025

The Puget Sound Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society (PSONS) is an organization committed to the advancement of oncology nursing practice through education, communication and research. We serve the oncology nurses that live in the Puget Sound area of Washington, including the King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Island, Thurston, Skagit and Whatcom Counties.

Our vision is to lead the transformation of cancer care.

Our mission is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.

  • We enable oncology nurses to thrive in our ever-changing healthcare environment.
  • We encourage a proactive stance with respect to professional issues.
  • We promote networking among oncology nurses serve by PSONS.

History of PSONS

We are very proud that our organization was created before the National ONS chapters were created. We continue to be progressive and proactive. In 1978, with financial support from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center an intrepid band of oncology nurses formed a special interest group called the Regional (Northwest/Alaska) Oncology Nurses (RONs).

RONS included cancer nurses from Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia, who wanted to promote excellence in cancer nursing, create opportunities for professional growth, and provide personal support to nurses who care for people with cancer. These nurses traveled hundreds of miles along the I-5 corridor and across international borders to meet quarterly.

In 1985, RONs became PSONS. We have matured into an organization deeply committed to the professional and personal development of our members. We have maintained organizational flexibility and are responsive to changing needs of nurses and our larger health care community. PSONS has helped to produce leaders at the national level in many areas, including CEOs, ONS paid positions, research, writing, education, and community service.