Nurse navigators are trained, culturally competent healthcare professionals who work with patients, families, physicians, and the healthcare system to ensure cancer patient needs are fittingly and effectively addressed.

Oncology nurse navigators are a group of registered nurses (RNs) with a specialization in oncology. Their practice is guided by the Oncology Nursing Society, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the National Cancer Institute.

I am your Oncology nurse navigator at the Willmar Regional Cancer Center.

The most important role of a nurse navigator is to make sure that individuals with cancer findings receive timely diagnosis and treatment.

Nurse navigators help cancer patients "navigate" the healthcare system and access appropriate social and financial services. A primary function of the navigator is to establish and help maintain communication between patients, their families, physicians and the healthcare organization.

Navigators help patients in a variety of ways, including to:

Help coordinate appointments with providers to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment

Provide emotional support and information on what to expect as a cancer patient

Respond to phone calls about symptoms and concerns

Collaborate with all members of the cancer care health team

Help with understanding of the diagnosis

Help arrange for transportation for cancer treatment visits

Provide assistance with insurance issues

Provide referrals to additional resources such as nutrition care, lymphedema prevention and management, prosthesis, and, emotional, grief and stress support

Assist in follow-up care after treatments have concluded

Help with the completion of applicatiions for pharmaceutical benefit programs, indigent care, pre-authorizations, and other services to provide high quality, less stressful care

As the Oncology Nurse Navigator for the Willmar Regional Cancer Center, my goals to you as a patient are to:

Ensure you receive a timely, definitve diagnosis following an abnormal test result;

Set up timely treatment following a positive diagnosis;

Find cost-effective solutions to your concerns;

Collaborate with all team members to provide you with coordinated care; and,

Help you find the resources you need to take care of your cancer care concerns.