Oncology nurses are at the heart of cancer care, offering support, expertise, and compassion to patients and their families. In a recent Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Advocacy Chat, Shannon Besselman, RN, BSN, a clinical manager from Northwest Medical Specialties, shared valuable insights into the multifaceted roles these nurses play. Let’s explore the world of oncology nursing and understand how these dedicated professionals make a difference.

Oncology Nursing Month: Caring Beyond Limits

Each May, we recognize National Oncology Nursing Month, a time to appreciate the extraordinary contributions of these healthcare heroes. The theme “Caring Beyond Limits” captures the essence of their dedication and the profound impact they have on the lives of cancer patients and survivors. Oncology nurses go above and beyond, providing care that extends far beyond medical treatment.

Meet Shannon Besselman: A Champion for Patients

Shannon Besselman brings a wealth of experience to her role as a clinical manager at Northwest Medical Specialties, a hematology-oncology practice serving communities across Washington State. With six locations and a large team of doctors, advanced practice providers, and nurses, Northwest Medical Specialties is committed to providing comprehensive cancer care. Shannon oversees various aspects of patient care, including managing medical assistants, infusion nurses, triage nurses, treatment schedulers, and scribes.

Diverse Roles of Oncology Nurses: Beyond the Infusion Chair

When you think of oncology nurses, you might picture them administering chemotherapy in an infusion center. While that’s certainly an important part of their job, oncology nurses fill many other crucial roles. Shannon highlighted some of these diverse roles, including triage nurses, research nurses, and even a theranostics nurse.

Triage Nurses: Remote Care Experts

Triage nurses provide remote support to patients, addressing their concerns and coordinating their care from a distance. This is particularly valuable for patients who need immediate guidance or have questions outside of regular office hours.

Northwest Medical Specialties employs remote triage nurses across multiple states, expanding their reach and ensuring patients receive timely care. These nurses help patients manage treatment side effects with over-the-counter medications or prescriptions, and they determine whether a patient needs to be seen in the office for urgent care. Triage nurses serve as a lifeline for patients, providing reassurance and expert advice when they need it most.

Research Nurses: Proactive Advocates for Patients

Research nurses play a critical role in identifying potential clinical trial opportunities for patients. Community oncology practices are actively involved in research, offering patients access to the latest advancements in cancer treatment.

Contrary to some misconceptions, community oncology practices are actively involved in research. Research nurses actively review patient charts to identify new treatment options and eligibility for trials. They often identify opportunities before the doctors, ensuring patients have access to the latest advancements. These nurses spend time going through charts to see if there is any indication a patient might be eligible for a new trial. Research nurses are proactive advocates for patients, working tirelessly to find the best possible treatment options.

The Theranostics Nurse: A Specialized Role

Shannon highlighted a unique and growing role: the theranostics nurse. This specialized nurse has expertise in nuclear medicine and administers theranostic drugs, a type of targeted cancer therapy. More and more clinics are starting to include a theranostics nurse, making this role important to highlight.

The theranostics nurse has specialized training in nuclear medicine and is an RN. This nurse monitors patients receiving theranostic drugs due to the unique nature of these treatments. With their specialized knowledge, theranostics nurses ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time.

From Bedside to Management: Shannon’s Nursing Journey

Shannon shared her career path, starting as a bedside nurse in a hospital and transitioning to Northwest Medical Specialties, where she began as an infusion nurse and moved into leadership roles.

Working as a bedside nurse gave Shannon a foundational understanding of patient care. She was drawn to the passion of the providers at Northwest Medical Specialties. Shannon’s journey demonstrates the diverse career paths available to oncology nurses and the opportunities for growth and leadership within the field.

The Infusion Nurse: A Pillar of Support

Infusion nurses are often the main point of contact for patients during cancer treatment. Shannon emphasized the crucial role of infusion nurses, who provide education, manage side effects, and offer psychosocial support to patients and their families.

Infusion nurses often see patients regularly, building strong relationships. They educate patients on medications and how to manage side effects at home, improving their quality of life. This goes beyond handing a patient a pamphlet, they truly take the time to walk them through their treatment. They offer emotional support, becoming trusted confidantes for patients and their families. They also provide support to caregivers, understanding the challenges they face.

Infusion nurses also ensure the patient gets the right drug with the right dose. Weight plays a big role in dosing medicine, so these nurses must keep this in mind. They also make sure safety protocols are in place for the specific patient. They may check to make sure the patient has had the proper tests before administering medicine. The role of the infusion nurse is critical.

Scribes: Supporting Doctors in a Community Oncology Practice

Scribes are valuable members of the care team, assisting doctors with documentation. Some practices use live scribes, while others use AI technology to prep notes.

In-clinic scribes accompany doctors during patient visits, documenting notes in real-time. Some practices use AI to prepare notes for doctors, streamlining the documentation process. Scribes allow doctors to focus on the patient without being distracted by notetaking. This is especially helpful in community oncology where the focus is on high-quality patient care.

Addressing Caregiver Needs

Caregivers play a critical role in supporting cancer patients, and infusion nurses recognize this and provide guidance and support to caregivers as well.

Nurses are mindful of privacy regulations when interacting with caregivers. Caregivers often have questions and concerns that patients may not express. They can help reinforce important information about medication and side effect management.

Patient Education: A Continuous Process

Patient education is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Patients receive informal education upon starting treatment, but infusion nurses reinforce this information throughout the journey.

Patients receive initial education from an advanced practice provider on treatment plans and side effects. Infusion nurses reinforce education during treatments, addressing new or ongoing concerns. Patients often feel more comfortable opening up to nurses due to the frequent interaction and trust they build. In fact, nurses are very good at understanding how you are doing. Patients can sometimes tell their oncologist “Oh no, I’m feeling fine,” but the nurse might catch cues that the patient isn’t aware they are giving off.

The Impact of Personal Experience

Shannon’s personal experience as a cancer survivor has deepened her understanding and compassion as a nurse. She brings a unique perspective to patient care.

Being on the receiving end of treatment has changed her perspective. She recognizes the questions and concerns patients may not voice. It’s one thing to have experience in a field, but it’s another to be on the other side. This allows Shannon to bring an unmatched level of care to patients.

Final Thoughts: Continuous Learning and Humility

Shannon emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and humility in nursing. The field is constantly evolving, requiring nurses to stay updated on the latest advancements and best practices.

There’s always something new to learn in nursing. Never assume you know everything. It’s important to approach each patient with an open mind and a willingness to learn from their experiences. In the ever-changing world of oncology, you must be willing to continue learning.