Oncology nurse navigators: Building bridges to improve cancer care

Learning you have been diagnosed with cancer can be incredibly overwhelming, leading to anxiety and fear about the unknown. That’s why we have specially-trained nurse navigators who are ready to serve as a resource and support system throughout your cancer journey.

Brittany Engle, oncology navigation manager at HCA HealthONE, explains her team’s role and how they can help you and your family through your cancer journey.

What does an oncology nurse navigator do?

Oncology nurse navigators have many roles, each of which will help you and your loved ones navigate the complex cancer care system.

Navigation means something different to each patient. It can be a little thing that makes you feel better, like knowing someone is there if you have questions or to check in with you. It can also be a big thing, like helping you and your family find the necessary resources to help you during treatment. It’s often many things, big and small, that help patients move more easily through their cancer journey.

Here are some ways nurse navigators provide a personalized experience for their patients:

• Advocate for the patient’s voice in the development of their treatment plan.
• Help patients understand their cancer diagnosis and treatment options by translating medical terms, educating them on what to expect, encouraging them to ask questions, and providing them with educational materials and reputable websites to help them make the best decisions for themselves.
• Coordinate office visits across medical disciplines to streamline cancer care delivery.
• Identify and help remove barriers that may prevent or delay patients from getting their cancer treatment. Nurse navigators connect patients with financial resources, transportation and childcare assistance as needed.
• Provide personalized and individualized assistance and support to patients and their loved ones, in person or by phone.

What training does a nurse navigator have?

At HCA HealthONE, each of our oncology-trained nurse navigators specializes in specific cancer types, such as breast, lung, gastrointestinal, and gynecologic cancers, which allows them to provide tailored support and expert guidance.

What are the benefits of having an oncology nurse navigator after diagnosis?

Once you are diagnosed with cancer, the next steps can move so fast that you are left feeling lost or like everything is out of your control. Your nurse navigator will be your anchor for support and information through your continuum of care.

“What I think really makes our navigation program unique from other programs throughout the country is that Sarah Cannon oncology navigators provide personalized support to their patients from diagnosis to survivorship,” said Engle. “We're with patients throughout their cancer journey to ensure they get timely access to care.”

If you have questions or concerns about your treatment plan, your nurse navigator can step in to coordinate communication with your healthcare team to get the answers you need.

“We develop trusting relationships and assess our patients’ distress level and what’s possibly a barrier to successfully completing their treatment,” said Engle. “Sometimes it’s a transportation, lodging, financial, or childcare concern and we try to help find resources to remove those barriers to care.”

Cancer support and survivorship services in Denver

Cancer impacts the entire family. Providing support not only for you but also for your loved ones is a cornerstone of our family-centered approach to cancer care.

“We support patients who have cancer, and their family and friends affected by cancer, because we know sometimes it's just as challenging for those caregivers as it is for the patient,” said Engle. “Cancer care doesn’t stop once you become a cancer survivor. We make sure our patients know their treatment may be done, but they still need to be followed for five to 10 years, depending on their survivorship plan.”

Our oncology nurse navigators ensure follow-up appointments are scheduled with a medical oncologist and provide patients with resources and guidance to help them adjust to life after cancer treatment.

Nurse navigators also educate patients about palliative care and facilitate timely referrals to palliative care services so patients can fulfill their goals of care and improve their quality of life.

“During a chaotic time, our nurse navigators are that one consistent point of contact that you can reach out to for support through one of the most challenging times of your life,” said Engle.

To learn more about our nurse navigator program and how they can help you on your cancer journey, call askSARAH at (844) 482-4812.