Oncology Nurse Navigators

The cancer journey often involves a number of unknowns for patients and their families. Managing the information involved with diagnosis, treatment, and other needs, all the way to survivorship or end-of-life care can be daunting. To relieve some of that stress and burden, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey are home to a robust Oncology Navigation Program to provide individualized assistance to patients and their caregivers.

The Oncology Navigation Program is staffed by nurses with a specialty in oncology. This expertise provides patients with a knowledgeable resource who can help answer questions, provide guidance, coordinate care, and serve as an important member of the patient’s care team.

Oncology nurse navigators help patients through the entire cancer journey from securing their initial appointment to coordinating follow-up visits related to treatments and procedures, all the way through aspects of survivorship.

This includes identifying and addressing any barriers to quality care and ensuring a seamless coordination of services between all members of the health care team, even if they are at different locations across the health system.

Oncology nurse navigators also assist patients with referrals to social workers or financial counselors for matters pertaining to health insurance, financial and other challenges, and cancer prevention – including cancer screenings.

New patients seeking cancer care at Rutgers Cancer Institute or RWJBarnabas Health can call 844-CANCERNJ (844-226-2376) to be connected to an oncology nurse navigator.