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    Clinical and Pharmaceutical Nurse Educators Collaborate to Bring Training to Nurses and Improve Patient Care
    Oncology nurse education
    Clinical and Pharmaceutical Nurse Educators Collaborate to Bring Training to Nurses and Improve Patient Care
    January 13, 2023
    Oncology Nurse Uses Retirement to Help Patients and Healthcare Professionals Understand Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Testing Results
    Pancreatic cancer
    Oncology Nurse Uses Retirement to Help Patients and Healthcare Professionals Understand Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Testing Results
    November 11, 2022
    The Life of Marie Curie and Her Contributions to Oncology
    Cancer treatments
    The Life of Marie Curie and Her Contributions to Oncology
    November 07, 2022
    Post-Flooding Natural Disaster Cancer Considerations and Patient Education Points
    Patient safety
    Post-Flooding Natural Disaster Cancer Considerations and Patient Education Points
    September 28, 2022
    Can Patients Use Continuous Glucose Monitors During Radiation Therapy for Cancer?
    Radiation therapy
    Can Patients Use Continuous Glucose Monitors During Radiation Therapy for Cancer?
    August 19, 2022
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    Nurse navigator

    Oncology Nurse Navigator Roles Are Transforming Cancer Outcomes for Underserved Rural Patients
    Nurse navigator

    Oncology Nurse Navigator Roles Are Transforming Cancer Outcomes for Underserved Rural Patients

    Underserved, rural, and economically disadvantaged patients with cancer who are under the care of an oncology nurse navigator are better prepared to begin treatment and require fewer services than non-navigated peers, according to study findings published in the Oncology Nursing Forum (ONF). Authors Williams et al. said that their results indicate greater patient satisfaction.

    December 08, 2022
    Independent Advocates Help Patients With Dementia Navigate Cancer Care
    Care coordination

    Independent Advocates Help Patients With Dementia Navigate Cancer Care

    Clinicians have an implicit—if not explicit—obligation to advocate for their patients. However, as health care’s complexity increases, independent advocates can help patients navigate systematic challenges throughout the continuum. Independent advocates follow the patient, not the reimbursement constraints, a chief distinction between us and clinical, facility, or agency case managers.

    June 09, 2022
    Oncology Navigation Standards Help Patients Overcome Disparities and Barriers to Care
    Cancer health disparities

    Oncology Navigation Standards Help Patients Overcome Disparities and Barriers to Care

    Patients with cancer, especially those from underrepresented groups or who are experiencing racism, inequalities, social determinants of health factors, and other barriers to care, need oncology nurse navigation now more than ever before. Developed as a “strategy to improve outcomes in marginalized populations by eliminating barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases,” navigation has made a difference for patients since its introduction in 1990.

    May 10, 2022
    NCI Recognizes Three ONS Members as Champions and Changemakers
    National Cancer Institute (NCI)

    NCI Recognizes Three ONS Members as Champions and Changemakers

    Where there’s cancer, there are oncology nurses. It’s been that way even before 1971, when President Richard Nixon established and signed into law the National Cancer Act to fight the “war on cancer,” which had just become the second leading cause of death in the United States. Born from the act, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021. As part of the celebration, it named three oncology nurses and ONS members on its champions and changemakers list—Betty Ferrell, PhD, FAAN, FPCN, CHPN, Deborah Watkins Bruner, RN, PhD, FAAN, and Christine Miaskowski, RN, PhD, FAAN—in recognition of their contributions to cancer prevention, early detection, and symptom science.

    August 03, 2021
    Brain Tumor Navigator Role Bridges the Intersection of Cancer and Neuroscience
    Nurse navigator

    Brain Tumor Navigator Role Bridges the Intersection of Cancer and Neuroscience

    My role as a nurse navigator, for both patients with cancer and in the neuroscience arena, is the culmination of a 40-year career in oncology nursing. I got my start in nurse navigation 11 years ago. At the time I was working in Hoag’s brain tumor program and noticed that those patients had needs that we weren’t meeting. So, I shared my concern with the program directors and today Hoag continues to develop its brain tumor navigator role.

    September 29, 2020
    We Know Oncology Nurse Navigators Improve Patient Experience, But Measurement Is Difficult
    Nurse navigator

    We Know Oncology Nurse Navigators Improve Patient Experience, but Measurement Is Difficult

    In February 2019, my colleagues and I published a retrospective analysis of patient-reported satisfaction comparing those who had contact with an oncology nurse navigator (ONN) and those who did not. We analyzed surveys from patients with outpatient oncology infusion or radiation oncology visits in a 24-month period. First, we sorted the surveys into two groups—self-reported ONN contact (n = 315) and self-reported no contact with an ONN (n = 172)—and compared satisfaction.

    September 08, 2020
    New Roles in Oncology Nurse Navigation
    Nurse navigator

    New Roles in Oncology Nurse Navigation

    In the 30 years since its inception in 1990, oncology nurse navigation has continually evolved and grown in response to patient and healthcare needs.

    September 01, 2020
    Unique Roles in Oncology Nursing: Oncology Nurse Navigation
    Nurse navigator

    Unique Roles in Oncology Nursing: Oncology Nurse Navigation

    As early detection, treatment modalities, and symptom management advance in oncology care, we are seeing an increase in the number of adult and childhood cancer survivors. Added to the unique challenges of comorbid conditions in an aging population, oncology nurses have a lot to juggle in the spectrum of patient care. The relatively new role of the oncology nurse navigator was developed to enhance care coordination in patients with cancer.

    May 04, 2020
    How Is ONS Supporting OCM Nursing Practice?
    Care coordination

    How Is ONS Supporting OCM Nursing Practice?

    The preliminary outcomes for performance in the first year of the Oncology Care Model (OCM) have shown modest but interesting results for the value-based payment model. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ year-one evaluation examined the initial impact of the new payment model on practice in terms of outcomes related to total cost of care per practice, unplanned hospital and emergency department visits, hospital visits, and patient-reported satisfaction with care for six-month episodes of chemotherapy for beneficiaries from July 1, 2016–June 30, 2017.

    October 01, 2019
    How ONS Is Supporting ONNs’ Professional Development
    Nurse navigator

    How ONS Is Supporting ONNs’ Professional Development

    Professional development needs of oncology nurse navigators (ONNs) have not been clearly identified, both for novice and more experienced navigators. Although some work has begun to define training for novice ONNs, most information about education for experienced ONNs comes from evaluation data and anecdotal reports.    

    May 28, 2019
    Experts Hold Conversations About Access and Affordability at ONS Policy Summit
    Patient financial advocacy

    Experts Hold Conversations About Access and Affordability at ONS Policy Summit

    Nurses should initiate financial conversations with patients early and offer resources to improve access to cancer care, speakers at the ONS Center for Advocacy and Health Policy’s third annual policy summit on November 13, 2018, concluded. The event, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, brought together nurses and industry and government experts to address the issue of financial toxicity in today’s cancer care.

    December 07, 2018
    ONS Member Receives Biden Cancer Initiative’s FIERCE Award
    Cancer moonshot

    ONS Member Receives Biden Cancer Initiative’s FIERCE Award

    As a continuation of the National Cancer Moonshot legacy, the Biden Cancer Initiative (BCI) announced its inaugural roster of FIERCE Award recipients, naming 10 transformative healthcare professionals and institutions who have driven change and positively impacted the lives of their patients with cancer. For her work as an oncology nurse navigator and her accomplishments in patient navigation, ONS member Cynthia Cantril, RN, OCN®, CBCN®, MPH, was named one of the BCI’s FIERCE Award recipients at the Biden Cancer Summit Welcome Reception in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2018.

    October 05, 2018
    Updated Core Competencies Reflect Evolution of Nurse Navigator Role
    Nurse navigator

    Updated Core Competencies Reflect Evolution of Nurse Navigator Role

    Although care coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential components of every oncology nurse’s role, oncology nurse navigators (ONNs) take that work even farther by helping patients and caregivers navigate a complex healthcare system and access much-needed resources. By ONS’s definition, ONNs are key in meeting patient and caregiver needs while providing evidence-based, cost-effective, and quality cancer care by eliminating barriers to timely care.

    August 07, 2018
    The Role of Oncology Nursing Navigation Continues to Grow
    Nurse navigator

    The Role of Oncology Nursing Navigation Continues to Grow

    Oncology nurse navigators (ONNs) fill a critical, ever-growing role in cancer care settings across the country, providing patients with the resources, education, and care coordination they need to successfully navigate their cancer journey. By reducing barriers and burdens on patients and their caregivers, ONNs help lead patients from initial diagnosis, during treatment, into survivorship, and often through end-of-life care. 

    April 17, 2018
    Lay Patient Navigators Can Help Oncology Nurses Guide Patients Through Cancer Care
    Nurse navigator

    Lay Patient Navigators Can Help Oncology Nurses Guide Patients Through Cancer Care

    Even for medical professionals working in health care every day, the U.S. healthcare system can be incredibly complex. Understanding where to obtain information and how to connect patients to resources can be difficult. For patients, navigating their treatment journey can be—at times—downright impossible. Coordinating care for patients with cancer is a crucial component to successful outcomes and quality cancer care.

    March 27, 2018
    How ONS Supports Oncology Nurse Navigators in Care Coordination
    Care coordination

    How ONS Supports Oncology Nurse Navigators in Care Coordination

    When I worked in the clinical setting, like many of you, I guided patients through treatments, prepared them for managing their care at home, celebrated the completion of treatment, and grieved the deaths of many. I coordinated patients’ care. 

    March 20, 2018
    San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

    Bilingual, Bicultural Patient Navigators May Reduce Disparities in Latinas With Breast Cancer

    Researchers from the University of Texas (UT) Health San Antonio have found that providing Latinas with breast cancer with a bilingual, bicultural patient navigator can improve access to care and reduce treatment delays. The researchers presented their findings during the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on Tuesday, December 5.

    December 05, 2017
    nurse navigators improve oncology care coordination
    Coordinated care

    How Oncology Nurse Navigation Contributes to Effective Care Coordination

    Well-coordinated care by knowledgeable healthcare providers improves patient-centered care, supports shared decision making, reduces fragmentation of care, and decreases readmissions and emergency room visits. However, patients with complex care needs are often lost in the very systems designed to support them.

    September 26, 2017
    Nontraditional Roles in Oncology Nursing
    Nurse navigator

    Nontraditional Roles in Oncology Nursing

    The nursing profession has long been an incubator of innovation. Nurses are continually blazing new trails in clinical care, research, and administration, and the landscape is no different in the specialty of oncology. This article provides an overview of three non-traditional roles in oncology nursing: nurse navigation, nursing informatics, and research nursing.

    September 13, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    Leadership Strategies for Nursing Excellence

    The triple aim of healthcare is patient satisfaction, quality outcomes, and decreased costs. Navigation is the key to effective care delivery, said Regina Cunningham, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, chief executive officer of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, during the Endnote Session at the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit.

    June 17, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    What Rising Cancer Costs Are Doing to Patient Well-Being

    The cost of cancer has increased substantially over the years and is continuing to trend upward. During a session at the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit, Yousuf Zafar, MD, MHS, an associate professor of medicine and public policy at Duke Cancer Institute, gave some facts and figures on cancer costs and how these are impacting patient well-being.

    June 17, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Survivors of Cancer

    The 2012 American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer survivors suggest achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical exercise and following healthy dietary patterns.

    June 17, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    Certification and Survivorship Care Plans Present Challenges for Nurse Navigators

    During a session at the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit, ONS member Pamela J. Haylock, PhD, RN, FAAN, at the Association for Vascular Access in Medina, TX, and Cindy Stern, RN, MSN, CCRP, of the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network, delivered a joint presentation about some of the hurdles nurse navigators face.

    June 17, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    Understanding Precision Medicine Therapeutics

    Precision medicine involves the identification of actionable mutations and agents that target those specific pathways. ONS member Debra Wujcik, PhD, RN, FAAN, the director of research at Carevive Systems, Inc., gave an overview of precision medicine therapies at the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit.

    June 16, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    Best Practices for Managing Patients in Palliative Care

    Palliative care is a patient-centered approach that seeks to optimize quality of life. Advocacy is also important, which includes incorporating patient and family goals into the care plan, promoting communication, actively managing symptoms, promoting and nurturing transcendence and hope, eliminating patients’ and families’ fears of abandonment, and being therapeutically present. At the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit, Bonnie Freeman, DNP, RN, ANP, CT, ACHPN, a nurse practitioner in the Department of Supportive Care Medicine at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA, discussed the best strategies related to palliative care.

    June 16, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    Tackling Adherence as More Oral Therapies Come to Market

    As many as 25%–30% of all new antineoplastic agents in development are estimated to be oral, and almost half of the 300 medications in phase II and III clinical trials are oral medications. A paradigm shift is taking place in chemotherapy delivery. During a session at the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit, ONS member Jan Tipton, MSN, RN, AOCN®, at the University of Toledo Medical Center in Ohio, discussed how cancer is making a shift to oral medications.

    June 16, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    An Overview of Colorectal and Pancreatic Cancers

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents 8% of all new cancer cases and 8.4% of all cancer deaths, with a five-year survival rate of 64.9% (between 2007–2013). Pancreatic cancer represents 3.2% of all new cancer cases and 7.2% of all cancer deaths, with a five-year survival rate of just 8.2% (between 2007–2013). ONS member Christine Guarnieri, MSN, RN-BC, OCN®, of Huntington Hospital in New York, discussed both of these cancers at the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit.

    June 16, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    Use Outcomes and Metrics to Improve Navigation Strategies

    ONS member Judy B. Koutlas RN, MS, OCN®, manager of oncology navigation at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC, discussed best practices and metrics related to navigation programs to improve nursing performance and patient quality of care during a session at the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit.

    June 15, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit

    Lay Patient Navigators May Provide a Solution for an Overworked Nursing Climate

    With the growing demand for cancer services and a shrinking workforce, new ideas and innovative approaches are needed. During a session at the Oncology Nurse Advisor Navigation Summit, ONS member Jean B. Sellers, RN, MSN, administrative clinical director at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, discussed the current landscape and future of navigation services.

    June 15, 2017
    ONS Leadership
    ONS Leadership

    Members Meet to Lead ONS Into the Future

    As Oncology Nursing Month, May saw celebrations at the ONS 42nd Annual Congress and in our workplaces. Nurses on ONS staff enjoyed recognition and celebration of their commitment to our mission and you. They partner closely with members who volunteer their time and expertise in developing initiatives and priorities for ONS. I would like to describe a few of those initiatives and work groups that have met at the national office in the first six months of 2017.

    June 09, 2017
    Oncology Nurse Navigator
    Nurse navigator

    Updated Competencies Outline Oncology Nurse Navigator Role From Novice to Expert

    Based on the results of the oncology nurse navigator (ONN) role delineation survey and feedback from ONS membership, ONS evaluated and updated its ONN Core Competencies. Several significant changes were made.

    May 19, 2017
    Nurse navigator

    ONS/ONCC Role Delineation Study Shows Oncology Nurse Navigators’ Role Continues to Evolve

    Since ONS and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation conducted the first role delineation study in 2011, the oncology nurse navigator role has continued to change. Cancer care has evolved, and focus on care coordination has increased to improve quality and reduce costs.
    December 07, 2016
    Coordinated care

    Advocating for Your Patients

    Nurse navigators are advocating for patients in institutions across the country, setting an example for what oncology nurses at any level can do to help their patients through the cancer journey.
    October 04, 2016
    ASCO Annual Meeting

    Nurse-Led Patient Navigation Program Improves Cancer Survival

    Patient navigation programs can help to improve outcomes and reduce disparities; however, little is known about their effects on clinical outcomes, such as survival. In a retrospective, cohort study, a nurse-led patient navigation program was initiated to assess 12-month survival outcomes. The researchers presented the study at the ASCO Annual Meeting.
    June 04, 2016
    Five minute in service arrow
    Coordinated care

    Get an Overview of a Successful Oncology Nurse Navigator Program

    In their Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing article, Horner et al. described the oncology nurse navigator program at their institution, addressing the specific roles of nurse navigators, required training, resources involved, and lessons learned.
    March 12, 2013
    Nurse navigators improve quality of patient care
    Care coordination

    Nurse Navigators

    Although nurses have always helped patients through the bewildering process of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, formalizing these tasks into a specific role improves outcomes, saves lives, and decreases costs.
    March 05, 2013
    Nurse navigator

    Nurse Navigators Need These "Big 3" Resources

    I have a job that doesn’t feel like a job at all . . . but don’t tell my boss. I consult members of the Midwest Cancer Alliance while they establish and enhance patient navigation systems. A large part of the role involves coaching and connecting clinicians with resources.
    January 06, 2012
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