for Patients
The process to survivorship can be a challenging one, we're here to help!
Tools / Resources
What is a Navigator and how they help
The Oncology Nurse Navigator is a professional nurse who has experience working with people with cancer and understands how challenging the journey can be. The navigator helps remove roadblocks to treatment, so that patients are able to keep their appointments, follow their treatment regimen, and receive the support services they need. The goal of the nurse navigator is to make sure that the comprehensive and varied cancer care services offered through health care providers and the community is accessible to all patients. Navigators are the community 411 of cancer care and can answer many questions regarding cancer screening, treatment, follow-up and resources available in your community even if you, a family member, loved one or friend have not been touched by a cancer diagnosis.
- Educate and advocate for, and navigate the person with cancer throughout their entire cancer treatment and beyond.
- Improve the patient outcomes by working to eliminate barriers to care.
- The 411 of cancer resources and community support services.
- The cancer patient’s personal care coach.
Find an NCONN Navigator by Location
In the News
Implications for Cancer
New To Cancer?
Getting Started / How NCONN can help
NCONN provides patients information, support, resources and the unique ability for patients, families, caregivers to link to professional competent Oncology Nurse Navigators in their communities nationally and soon globally. Nurse navigators can help patients make clinical sense, such as educating them about treatment options or holding their hands as they move through treatment. ONNs have the time to sit down with people, meeting one-on-one, empowering patients.
Comments by patients:
My navigator has been caring, empathetic and supportive in helping me to deal with my cancer, because I have neither family nor friends for support. I don't know what I would do without her. She has proven to be understanding. I have a better hopeful outlook from her regarding my disease. She should keep up the great work! It's helping me to keep up my battle. Thank you for helping me!
Female cancer patient Maryland
As a nurse, my navigator was able to talk with me about the clinical recommendations; with her soft-spoken demeanor, she enabled me to approach my treatments with calm.
60 y/o female Breast Cancer Patient
My navigator helped me by setting the tone of optimism and by showing me I was not alone. She was clearly a patient advocate for me, and I knew she would help me though it, I’m amazed that patients went without nurse navigators in the past, and that some hospitals still don’t have them now.
Lung Cancer Patient, California
Oncology Nurse Navigators FAQs
What is an Oncology Nurse Navigator and how they can help
Provides and assists patients with
- Emotional support
- Coordinate services among medical providers
- Find financial assistance resources
- Arrange transportation
- Educate patients and families about their disease and treatment plan
- Link patients to health care resources quickly
- Educate and research related to diagnosis and/or treatment options, including clinical trials
- Translate medical terminology
- Communicate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team
- Obtain referrals to community services for support groups other benefits of an ONN
- Arrange palliative care, hospice and home healthcare services
- Facilitate timely access to quality medical, psychosocial care
- Bring patient-focus back to cancer care
How do you find a navigator?
Patient’s may get a referrals to an Oncology Nurse Navigator in many ways, through surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and or their staff, from social workers, case managers, nurses on the floor, self referral, via email, or via the internet and by contacting NCONN.