The advancement to Oncology Nursing Excellence of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) in the United States began more than 38 years ago and was proposed by a few oncology nurse leaders with a bold vision.As we commemorate our 40th anniversary as a society, we focus on the strength of our advancement from more than 35,000 to 120,000 nurses who provide care for cancer patients and their families.ONS originated from the first National Cancer Nursing Research Conference, supported by the American Nurses Association and the American Cancer Society (ACS) in 1973.