The one person every cancer patient should know about

“You have cancer.”

Nothing prepares a person to hear those words from their doctor. From that moment on, even the simplest details can feel overwhelming. This is when the work of a nurse navigator becomes crucial.

What is a nurse navigator?

Nurse navigators are an integral part of cancer care. They support patients—sometimes even before a confirmed diagnosis—through treatment, care transitions and end-of-life care. Nurse navigators are:

• Experienced oncology nurses with deep clinical expertise.
• Advocates who support, educate and connect patients and caregivers to resources.
• Focused on the whole person, not just the diagnosis.

How do nurse navigators help patients?

A nurse navigator is there for the patient. When patients feel confused or overwhelmed, their nurse navigator is a phone call away and ready to:

• Help address emotional, financial, social and logistical challenges, often referred to as barriers to care.
• Ensure patients are connected to the right resources at the right time.
• Coordinate care across multiple specialties, including surgery, oncology, radiology and pathology.
• Break down complex medical information into manageable pieces.
• Provide written summaries and timelines so patients can refer back to them whenever questions arise.

Because nurse navigators work quickly to answer questions and meet patient needs, they help reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations. They also help patients understand changes in care plans and serve as advocates when patients are uncomfortable making decisions on their own.

Why should you want a nurse navigator?

A nurse navigator ensures you are not navigating cancer alone. They help manage the “fire hose” of information patients often receive early in their diagnosis. Most importantly, nurse navigators treat patients as people—not medical record numbers.

Who benefits from a nurse navigator?

Patients and care teams benefit from nurse navigation, including:

• Patients facing a possible or confirmed cancer diagnosis.
• Patients with complex cancers that require care from multiple specialists.
• Patients with limited support systems or caregivers.
• Families and caregivers who need guidance and education.
• Care teams that benefit from improved communication and coordination.
• Patients experiencing emotional, financial, legal or social stressors related to their diagnosis.

What does it look like to work with a nurse navigator?

The first interaction with a nurse navigator may happen even before a cancer diagnosis is confirmed. An emergency department visit, imaging results or a primary care visit may prompt additional testing due to concerns about cancer. The nurse navigator helps patients understand next steps, such as scheduling biopsies or specialist consultations. After that, patients can expect:

• Frequent touchpoints through phone calls, clinic visits, hospital visits and follow-ups.
• Ongoing education about what to expect next and how the care timeline will unfold.
• A trusted relationship built over time—nurse navigators often know patients by voice and by story.
• Support during major transitions, including treatment changes, remission, disease progression or end-of-life decisions.
• Presence during both hopeful moments and difficult conversations.
• Guidance that adapts to patient needs—sometimes walking beside them, sometimes carrying them, and sometimes gently pulling them forward.

At its core, nurse navigation is about being present, holding space and reminding patients they are not alone. Nurse navigators provide the attention, assistance and understanding patients deserve, allowing the rest of the care team to focus on treating the disease.