What is nurse navigation?
"Support and guidance offered to vulnerable persons with
abnormal cancer screening or a cancer diagnosis with the goal of overcoming
barriers to timely, quality care." (Wells et all, 2008)
Who is a nurse navigator?
A trained individual who has the necessary skills and have
the appropriate qualities to act as compassionate, effective guide in bridging
the gaps to help patients, their caregivers, and their families.
- Facilitate access to care,
- Skilled communicator and listener,
- Knowledgeable of cancer resources and systems,
- Acts as an empathic patient advocate, and
- Provides information and education.
GSH Proposed Navigation Model
Screening /Diagnosis---> Treatment---> Survivorship
Getting into Contact
- Referrals from Surgeon's Office (most frequent),
- Referrals from Medical Oncology Office (limited),
- Referrals from Primary Health Care Provider (very limited), and
- Patient referrals.
- Contact can occur at anytime during the cancer journey.
Oncology Nurse Navigation has proven to be beneficial for cancer patients in reducing barriers, decreasing stress, empowering patients and to provide a sense of security in a very scary time of their lives.
The Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Center nurse navigators can be called upon at any time in a cancer patient's journey.
For more information, call Lynne Beckstead at 308.865.7295, Marcia Stephens at 308.865.7883 or Shanna Gillming at 308.865.7294.
