Nobody Understands What I Do as an Oncology Navigator

AONN+ Blog published on May 20, 2021 in Navigation
Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS; Co-Founder, AONN+; University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Co-Developer, Work Stride-Managing Cancer at Work, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions

I often hear from patient navigators and nurse navigators that no one understands what they do. When I ask these navigators how they explain their role to their coworkers, they say “I navigate the patient.” This is the problem, using open-ended and unfamiliar terms leaves your coworker with more questions. Be more specific and give examples if the length of the conversation will allow.

Some questions your colleagues may have include:

 
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