How to Become an ONS Peer Reviewer or Associate Editor | Megha Shah, DNP, FNP, OCN
One of the questions I get asked most often by nurses building their professional presence in oncology is some version of: how do I get more involved beyond the bedside? There are many answers to that question. Serving as a peer reviewer or associate editor for an Oncology Nursing Society publication is one of the most meaningful ones.
I served as both a peer reviewer and an associate editor for the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, and I had the chance to talk about that experience on the ONS Podcast in Episode 320 (Link). What I shared there, and what I want to expand on here, is that this kind of role is far more accessible than most nurses realize. You do not need a PhD. You do not need a long publication history. You need clinical expertise, a willingness to engage seriously with the literature, and an interest in contributing to the profession.
What ONS publications are and why they matter
The Oncology Nursing Society publishes two peer-reviewed journals: the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing (CJON) and the Oncology Nursing Forum (ONF). These are not just reading material for nurses who want to stay current. They are the venues through which oncology nursing knowledge is formally documented, tested, and shared across institutions.
When a nurse at a small community hospital writes up a quality improvement project, a peer reviewer is a person who determines whether that work meets the standards for publication. When a researcher submits findings on a new patient education intervention, reviewers decide whether the methodology is sound and the conclusions are supported by the data. This work directly shapes what oncology nurses learn and how practice evolves.
Associate editors work more closely with the editorial team, supporting authors through the revision process and helping evaluate manuscripts in a more sustained way. Both roles carry real responsibility, and both are genuinely rewarding.
Who can apply to be a peer reviewer
The short answer is that any oncology nurse with clinical experience can apply. You do not need advanced credentials to get started, though having your OCN certification, a master’s degree, or expertise in a specific clinical area will strengthen your application.
ONS periodically opens applications for peer reviewers, and the process is relatively straightforward. You will typically be asked to identify your areas of clinical expertise so that manuscripts relevant to your background can be assigned to you.
If you are a newer nurse, do not assume this role is out of reach. I started this work earlier in my career than I expected to, and it made me a sharper clinician and a far better reader of the literature.
What peer reviewing actually involves
When a manuscript is submitted to CJON or ONF, the editorial team assigns it to reviewers based on topic match and expertise. As a reviewer, you read the manuscript and evaluate it against a structured set of criteria.
You are looking at things like:
Clinical accuracy. Is the content evidence-based? Are the recommendations consistent with current practice guidelines? Are citations current and appropriate?
Relevance to the field. Does this article address a gap in the oncology nursing literature? Does it add something new, or does it repeat what has already been well-covered?
Quality of writing. Is the article clear and well-organized? Can the target audience – practicing oncology nurses – actually use this information?
Methodological rigor. For research articles, does the study design support the conclusions? Are the limitations honestly acknowledged?
You submit a written review with your assessment and recommendations. You are not making the final publication decision; the editor does that, but your input carries real weight. A thoughtful, specific review can help a strong paper get stronger and can protect the journal from publishing work that is not ready.
Most peer reviewers can expect to be asked to review a small number of manuscripts per year. The time commitment per review is typically a few hours, spread over the review window. It is manageable alongside a clinical schedule.
What associate editors do differently
An associate editor role goes a step beyond peer reviewing. In this capacity, you work more closely with the editorial staff to support authors through the peer review process, identify qualified reviewers for manuscripts, and contribute to the direction of the journal in a more sustained way.
When I served in this role, one of the things I valued most was the opportunity to bring forward work from nurses who were new to publishing. Many nurses do incredible quality improvement work in their institutions and have no idea how to navigate the submission process. As an associate editor, I could advocate for those submissions and help authors understand what revisions would make their work publishable. Seeing a paper from a first-time author make it into print after a revision cycle is genuinely satisfying.
Associate editor positions are typically appointed and may involve a more formal application or nomination process. Expressing interest to the editorial team, making yourself known through your peer review work, and staying connected through ONS membership and events are the most direct paths.
How to prepare yourself for this work
If you are interested in peer reviewing but feel uncertain about your ability to evaluate a manuscript, start by reading more intentionally. When you read a journal article, practice asking yourself the same questions a reviewer would ask. Is the research question clearly defined? Does the data support the conclusion? What is missing?
Attending ONS annual congress sessions on research and evidence-based practice can also sharpen your eye for what strong scholarly work looks like. Many sessions include manuscript presentations that give you exposure to the full arc of a project.
If your institution has a nursing research committee or a journal club, participating regularly builds the same critical reading muscles that peer reviewing requires.
The professional case for getting involved
Beyond the intrinsic satisfaction of contributing to the field, peer reviewing and editorial service build your professional profile in concrete ways. It is a credential worth listing on your CV. It signals to future employers, academic programs, and certification bodies that you are engaged with the scholarly dimension of oncology nursing practice.
For nurses on a DNP or PhD track, this kind of involvement also strengthens your relationship with the literature in a way that classroom work alone does not. Reading and evaluating research is different when you are accountable for the quality of your assessment.
I started this work as a bedside nurse, continued it as I completed my DNP, and have found it to be one of the more sustaining parts of my professional life in oncology. If you are looking for a way to give back to the profession without leaving the clinical world, this is worth serious consideration.
You can learn more about ONS journal volunteer opportunities by visiting the ONS website and checking the journals section, or by reaching out to the editorial team directly. The path in is more open than most nurses realize.
Megha Shah, DNP, FNP-BC, OCN, has served as a peer reviewer and associate editor for the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. She discussed this experience on ONS Podcast Episode 320. She practices as an oncology nurse practitioner at Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Delnor in Geneva, Illinois.