By Nicole Reimer, RN, MSN, OCN Director, Oncology Nurse Navigation, Transcarent

Thirty-five years ago, I started my career as an Oncology Nurse, and I never looked back. From the moment I entered this field, I was in awe of the relationship between the person receiving care and the nurse who supported them during the most difficult time of their life. I quickly learned that medical treatment alone was not enough to treat cancer effectively. I recognized the weight of a cancer diagnosis is carried not only by the patient, but by their caregivers, families, and countless others. 

Cancer is different. Unlike episodic health events, cancer is a life-threatening disease that requires a lifelong journey of care and support. It is important for people with cancer to have access to cancer-specific benefits that address their health and care needs comprehensively. This includes screening and early detection, mental health and emotional support, medical treatment, return to work guidance, end-of-life care, caregiver resources, and more. 

Compassionate Care: Oncology Nurse Navigation 

Given the complexity of cancer, Oncology Nurse Navigators are uniquely equipped to deliver compassionate care throughout the entirety of a person’s cancer journey. Nurses – of all kinds – are the connective tissue of the healthcare system. With cancer, Oncology Nurse Navigators play a uniquely critical role.  

Oncology Nurse Navigators are keenly prepared to assess the needs of the cancer patient and the cancer caregiver, having both clinical experience in cancer care and the relational experience required to thoughtfully navigate complicated healthcare topics. Our goal is to always create a safe space for people impacted by cancer and their caregivers to ask questions and to be open to honest advice and guidance. This can start before a patient even receives a diagnosis.  

Just a few weeks ago, for example, I met with a Member who visited his primary care physician for a routine prostate exam, which showed a high probability of cancer. The Member shared that he doesn’t like asking for help, but in this case, he knew he had to take his health into his own hands. The Member accessed his Transcarent Cancer Care benefit, offered by his employer, through the Transcarent app on his phone, and was connected to me as his Oncology Nurse Navigator. I leveraged my active listening skills to better understand his feelings about the exam findings and make appropriate care recommendations. Soon after our initial conversation, the Member went in for his biopsy, and to both our surprise, it came back non-malignant. The Member was relieved to hear the positive news, and while he was ready to move forward with what felt like a new lease on life, there was still a part of him that wondered if the wrong tissue was swabbed or what the chances were of him developing cancer down the line. Building upon our existing relationship, we worked together to address his concerns and make decisions for the path forward.  

Empathy and compassion go a long way – whether a person is diagnosed with cancer, at-risk of cancer, or caring for someone with cancer, Oncology Nurse Navigators meet the person where they are and form unique and trusted relationships, embarking on the path forward together.  

Evidence-based recommendations 

Without Oncology Nurse Navigation, those managing cancer often become reliant on family, friends, and the internet for guidance, leading to potential for misinformation and suboptimal care. We know that when people have access to evidence-based health recommendations, they are more likely to adhere to their care plan, improving the chance of positive health outcomes.  

For example, health events that could seem routine for someone without cancer – think, a fever – could be a life-threatening, oncological emergency for a person who has been diagnosed with cancer. Oncology Nurse Navigators educate Members on those types of emergencies, providing a greater layer of safety for the Member.  

White-glove service and reducing barriers to access 

Oncology Nurse Navigators provide a white glove service that promotes informed decision-making and reduces barriers to accessing care.  

Oncology Nurse Navigators have the resources to help find solutions that fit the Member's specific needs. People with literacy or language barriers, for example, may lack trusted guidance that is digestible. Oncology Nurse Navigators can work to locate studies in a Member’s native language to ensure they are clear on care recommendations and options.  

Oncology Nurse Navigators have dedicated their careers to supporting people on a cancer journey, regardless of their diagnosis, resources, or prognosis. We help patients move forward with dignity, clinical guidance, and emotional support throughout their entire care experience- I can’t imagine doing anything else. Thirty-five years later, I am still in awe of the compassionate Oncology Nurses I have worked alongside and the resilient patients and caregivers I have had the privilege of supporting.