Cancer is complicated. The journey can be very confusing. From understanding the diagnosis to navigating the physical, emotional, and financial aspects of a cancer, it is a huge weight to bear. Recently, we confirmed the pervasiveness of this sentiment in our consumer survey, “Understanding the Employee Experience with Cancer.” Fifty-two percent of people with cancer and 49% of caregivers told us they had difficulty getting a clear diagnosis. According to the National Library of Medicine, the typical person with cancer sees an average of 32 providers throughout their treatment journey.
At Transcarent, our Oncology Nurse Navigators guide Members through the complexity and are at the heart of our Cancer Care experience. They walk with our Members along every step of their cancer journey from screening through survivorship, including caregiver support. Our team of Oncology Nurse Navigators have decades of experience and specialized professional certification in oncology nursing. In addition, all our Oncology Nurse Navigators complete the ACS LION™ Certified Oncology Nurse Navigator program.
Our compassionate and expert Oncology Nurse Navigators provide dedicated 1:1 personalized assistance to help Members and their families overcome systemic barriers, access education, and connect to resources. This high-touch experience is known to be effective at driving improved outcomes for people with cancer; it has been shown to reduce both time to diagnosis and time to treatment initiation.
We are deeply proud of our team of Oncology Nurse Navigators. Their expertise and compassionate care make a difference in the lives of our Members and their stories inspire us every day. We asked them to reflect on their work and share their perspective in their own words.
Shelley Usher, MSN, RN, CBCN, ACS LION
Sr. Manager, Oncology Nurse Navigation
As an Oncology Nurse Navigator, it’s an honor to help people discover their best path on their cancer journey. I educate and share resources with our Members – and their support system – to help them understand their options, empowering them to advocate for their best care. At the beginning of a cancer journey, people can experience a sense of overwhelm and confusion. I do my best to alleviate that uncertainty. As our consumer survey demonstrates, over half of people with cancer and their caregivers need help understanding their diagnosis. This is a critical first step; after all, how can a Member make a lifesaving decision if they don’t fully understand their choices?
Kristen Gipper, BSN, RN, OCN, ACS LION
Oncology Nurse Navigator
People often go numb when they hear the word cancer. In my role, I support Members by providing education around their diagnosis and the treatment plan set by their provider. I address any barriers to care and help connect them with personalized resources and support available through their benefits and in their community. This helps ensure timeliness from diagnosis to initial treatment, and a comprehensive and compassionate experience for our Members.
Elizabeth Carr, MSN, RN, OCN , ACS LION
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Every cancer journey is different. I’m in a unique position to help Members understand their diagnosis and treatment plan. Sometimes when a person with cancer meets with their oncologist, information is still “pending” so treatment decisions cannot be made. Helping Members navigate through next steps in a timely manner can ensure that treatment happens expeditiously. I regularly check in with Members to follow up on outstanding biopsy results, pathology, imaging, and other key components that keep things moving towards getting them the care they need.
Kristy Miller BSN, RN, OCN, ACS LION
Oncology Nurse Navigator
A cancer diagnosis carries many stigmas and biases throughout the care continuum. However, cancer does not define who someone is or what they can do. My passion lies with assisting people and their loved ones thrive through every stage of the cancer journey by setting goals and advocating for themselves. I help Members better understand work-related needs, including FMLA, how to manage expectations at work during treatment, and ways to set boundaries with coworkers and friends. One woman I helped said, “we don’t know until we know.” Thankfully, with the right diagnosis education, personalized treatment plan, and supportive services, we can help people meet their cancer care needs with confidence and courage…together.
Becca Kirkwood, BSN, RN, BMTCN, OCN, ACS LION
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Hearing the word cancer is overwhelming, something most people don’t expect to hear, especially if it was found incidentally and they have no signs or symptoms. It can be a lot to process in such a short amount of time. This can lead to delayed care which, depending on their diagnosis, can be very harmful. I like to start by asking Members about what they understand. I ask them to share what their provider has told them, and if they have any past experience with family or friends that have had cancer. It’s important to level set on what they’ve heard, as misinformation can be present, even with the best intent. I follow the Member’s lead regarding how much detail to share initially. Some people would like all the details in-depth, while others would like to know a brief overview in the beginning. When people have a better understanding of their diagnosis, they’re often able to get treatment faster. Our Oncology Nurse Navigators have seen first-hand that when Members are empowered with knowledge, and supported through their journey, they have a better understanding of their diagnosis and are more confident in their decision making.
Nicole Reimer MSN, RN, OCN, ACS LION
Director, Nurse Navigation, Oncology
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event for both the person with cancer and their caregivers. It brings with it a whirlwind of emotions, confusion, and decisions that can feel overwhelming. As an Oncology Nurse Navigator, I am an expert in helping our Members compartmentalize the experience by breaking down the decision points into a step-by-step approach. This helps to decrease their feelings of being overwhelmed. I believe knowledge is power and consistently ensure that our Members receive the most recent, evidence-based education coupled with personalized, and compassionate care.
