Nurse navigators provide patient-centered care and act as a bridge between the medical care team, the patient and their loved ones. They help educate, coordinate, facilitate, and guide patients through their entire healthcare journey and advocate for the needs of the patient and family.
A nurse navigator is a specialized registered nurse who helps coordinate all aspects of a patient’s care, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. They are often the liaison between all healthcare team members and patient’s family and caregivers.
What Does a Nurse Navigator Do?
A nurse navigator is responsible for oversight of the plan of care and ensuring compliance with treatment protocols, providing education and support to the healthcare team as well as the patient and family.
Additionally, they coordinate appropriate referrals and follow-up care, identify and mitigate potential challenges, advocate for the needs and preferences of the patient and family, and aid with access to resources both inside and outside of their healthcare facility.
Nurse navigators are a major component in providing high quality, comprehensive care to individuals battling a diagnosis, and their families. Navigators help close gaps in patient care and act as excellent resources to the healthcare team.
How Does a Nurse Navigator Differ from Other Nursing Roles?
A nurse navigator differs from other nursing roles in that they are responsible for creating customized plans for their patients and advocating for their needs. A navigator is the bridge between the medical care team and the patient and their loved ones. They are a champion for the patient’s emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being and are committed to providing patient-centered care.
In comparison to a case manager, nurse navigators have a more in-depth understanding of the diagnosis, the various options available to the patient, and the array of care the patient needs. Nurse navigators provide ongoing advocacy for the patient throughout their care journey, ensuring the patient’s preferences are considered in decisions regarding their care.
What Types of Medical Settings Utilize Nurse Navigators?
Nurse navigators are utilized in a variety of medical settings, often in larger healthcare systems or hospitals. These settings can include but are not limited to:
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Diabetes care
- Neurology
- Wound care
- Palliative care
- Mental health
- Genetics
- Orthopedics
- Women’s health
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Primary care
What Qualifications Are Needed to Become a Nurse Navigator?
Nurse navigators are generally experienced, licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) and postgraduate experience is often an important asset. They are often advanced practice nurses with certifications in specialty areas such as oncology, cardiology, or wound care.
Nurse navigators must possess exceptional problem solving and critical thinking skills, exceptional interpersonal and communications skills, and broad knowledge of the various services and resources offered by the healthcare facility. A thorough understanding of medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology is also important.
What Are the Benefits of Being a Nurse Navigator?
Nurse navigators are often the key component for providing comprehensive, patient-centered care and help close the gaps in medical care. Being a nurse navigator allows for the flexibility to work with different patients whose care journeys span a variety of specialties. Additionally, being a nurse navigator provides the opportunity to work with a diverse team of healthcare providers and promote collaboration and cooperation.
Nurse navigators are essential for ensuring excellent patient care throughout the entire treatment process and have the ability to provide hope for those that are facing a difficult diagnosis.
FAQ About Nurse Navigator
A: Nurse navigators are generally experienced, licensed Registered Nurses (RNs). Postgraduate experience is often an important asset. Advanced practice nursing certification in a specialty such as oncology, cardiology, or wound care is beneficial. Nurse navigators must possess exceptional problem solving and critical thinking skills, as well as exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. A thorough understanding of medical terminologies, disease processes, and pharmacology is also important.
A: Nurse navigators are utilized in a variety of medical settings, often in larger healthcare systems or hospitals. These settings can include oncology, cardiology, diabetes care, neurology, wound care, palliative care, mental health, genetics, orthopedics, women’s health, pregnancy, and childbirth, and primary care.
A: A nurse navigator differs from other nursing roles in that they are responsible for creating customized plans for their patients and advocating for their needs. They are a bridge between the medical care team and the patient and their family. They are a champion for the patient’s emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being and are committed to providing patient-centered care.
Conclusion
Nurse navigators are essential for ensuring excellent patient care throughout the entire treatment process and have the ability to provide hope for those that are facing a difficult diagnosis. Qualified nurse navigators have the unique ability to create customized plans for their patients, provide emotional support, and coordinate referrals and follow up care. They work in a variety of medical settings, from oncology to women’s health, and connecting the patient and their care team while ensuring the patient has access to all available resources.
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