Personal Narrative: A Career As A Patient Navigator

After my grandma was diagnosed with cancer many years ago, I became fascinated with what cancer was and what it looked like to treat such a disease. That passion that I experienced so long ago, later grew into something that I am seriously considering as a potential lifetime career. Ever since I have been questioning my ability to be able to handle such an honorable career in the medical field. That is when I found Lindsey Nelson, a patient navigator for the American Cancer Society. When I found her I was overjoyed. I would finally be able to answer all of those questions that I have had for so many years. When I arrived at the St. Alphonsus Cancer Care center on a Friday afternoon, Ms. Nelson had a very warm and endearing personality that was apparent from the beginning. First she asked questions about my experience with cancer and if it had every affected myself or a family member. That question alone made Ms. Nelson seem very empathetic to anyone that has been personally affected by cancer. Later that day, I had found out that Ms. Nelson is a cancer survivor herself. After learning that information it became clear on why she had a passion for helping cancer patients and their families get the help and care that they need. A patient navigator is an important piece in a patient’s treatment no matter what they have been afflicted with. A patient navigator works one on one with a patients to get them set up with support groups, informational classes, guides patients through treatment processes, as well as finds them resources and the supplies they need, such as wigs or makeup classes. Along with working one on one with patients, a patient navigator also works with the health care providers involved with the patients, organizations that are apart of support groups, and the association that they are working through. It is important for a navigator to stay connected in order for them to stay current on treatments and procedures and areas that a patient can find
support.
Ms. Nelson’s day starts early in the morning where she will then go to her office to start her day. During the day she meets with patients to help fit and size wigs, she will schedule appointments for them, and often check up with them to see how they are doing. She also does inventory on supplies and contacts many companies regarding things such as support groups.
A patient navigator’s starting salary on average is about 37,000 dollars. The price often varies depending on whom they are working out of. As of now there are now there are now national credentials for patient navigators to complete, but there are some classes that the navigator can take to feel better equipped in their position.
To be a successful patient navigator it is important that they show a lot of empathy. It is also important they have strong communication skills as wells as patience. Another thing that many don’t often think about is that a patient navigator has to be strong. It is often a tiring role to be working with patients that have been afflicted with heartbreaking disease, and it is the navigator’s responsibility to stay strong so that they can be as effectively helpful as possible.
Overall this job shadow was very helpful to me. Not only was I able to see what it looked like working with cancer victims, but I was also able to evaluate whether or not I was cut out for such a tough responsibility of working with patients and their disease. I don’t think I would like to stay strictly in patient navigation, but I definitely know that oncology is something that I would seriously consider