Voices of Change: Shaping the Future Through Oncology Nursing Advocacy With Gilanie De Castro, MSN, RN, OCN®, NE-BC, CNML

The Heart of Advocacy in Nursing

“Nurses are natural advocates. This is what brings us to the profession,” Ms. De Castro explains. With over two decades of personal experience in oncology nursing, she emphasizes that advocacy is woven into the very fabric of nursing. Whether it’s speaking up for a patient’s needs with a physician, collaborating with social work, or supporting families at home, advocacy is a daily practice. “In order to provide the best care possible, we advocate for their needs in different spaces,” she says.

She also highlights how the definition of advocacy has expanded. “In recent years, it also has expanded in my mind to go beyond the bedside or beyond the clinic or hospital walls to advocate for our patients and our profession in local, state, and even federal government.”

Stepping Into Advocacy: A Personal Journey

Ms. De Castro’s formal journey into advocacy began after the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that exposed gaps between healthcare policy and frontline realities. “There was a glaring realization on my part that there’s a huge gap between what happens at our work or what we do with our patients, and the policies that are being put out by the government that directly influence our work,” she recalls.

This realization led her to join professional organizations like the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), where she found a strong advocacy program and a community of nurses who are passionate about influencing health policy. She also notes that more nurses are needed in the health policy space, encouraging others to recognize the impact they can have beyond traditional roles.

Building Community and Sharing Best Practices

At the recent ONS Congress in Denver, Ms. De Castro participated in panels and roundtables focused on advocacy. She describes the experience as empowering, being able to connect with colleagues from across the country to share best practices and inspire action. “It was really nice to hear that there are things being done across the country, but I also think it highlighted the that we need to do more things across different chapters and states,” she says.

Getting Started: Advocacy at Every Level

For nurses interested in advocacy, Ms. De Castro recommends starting with professional organizations or local government. “The most meaningful thing is to understand how your local government works, how your community works,” she advises. Attending city council meetings or school board sessions, even virtually, can be a powerful first step. “Those are the people that are making decisions in your city or your community,” she emphasizes.

Staying Motivated: The Power of the Nursing Voice

Ms. De Castro’s passion for advocacy is fueled by a desire to ensure that nurses have a voice in shaping healthcare policy. “Nursing really went through a moral crisis,” she reflects, referencing the challenges of the pandemic. “We have a responsibility to utilize our influence in a very significant and impactful way.”

She urges nurses to recognize their inherent power: “Our profession is the most trusted. There is inherent power, but we must harness that power to have good influence and good outcomes.”

Key Takeaways

• Advocacy is central to nursing, both at the bedside and in shaping health policy
• Nurses can start locally by engaging with community organizations and government
• Professional organizations like ONS offer resources and support for advocacy efforts
• The nursing voice is powerful and trusted—nurses have a responsibility to use it for positive change
• Oncology nursing is a privilege, offering opportunities to make transformative impacts on patients’ lives

About the Speaker

Gilanie De Castro, MSN, RN, OCN®, NE-BC, CNML, is the Nursing Director at City of Hope National Cancer Center in Pasadena, California. She has been an oncology nurse for over 20 years and has served in several clinical leadership roles, including as the current President of the Greater Los Angeles ONS Chapter (GLAONS). Ms. De Castro also serves as the 2023-2025 Legislative Director for the American Nurses Association-California. Her mission is to build civic engagement for nurses and improve health outcomes by extending the reach of nursing influence into public and health policy spheres.