Nurse Navigator Program

When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you’re plunged into a new world that’s filled with medical lingo and urgent decisions, along with the very normal responses of shock and fear.

That’s why some Sutter cancer care centers offer a Nurse Navigator Program. From the first day of your diagnosis through treatment and recovery, your Nurse Navigator can act as your personal guide through the overwhelming maze of information, appointments and emotions. He or she will provide one-on-one education and support while also serving as case manager, advocate and friend—all free of charge.

What Does a Nurse Navigator Do?

Your Nurse Navigator serves as a single point of contact as you move through treatment with primary care doctors, cancer surgeons, medical oncologists and other healthcare professionals—however long that takes. All are registered nurses with specific training and certification in cancer care.

Your Nurse Navigator can help you and your family:

• Understand your diagnosis by translating medical terms.
• Ease anxiety and find answers to your questions.
• Explore the pros and cons of personalized treatment options.
• Prepare for surgical and non-surgical treatments such as chemotherapy.
• Understand how to manage at home during recovery from surgery or treatments.
• Keep track of medical appointments and schedule transportation.
• Evaluate and discuss clinical trials.
• Manage financial issues related to care.
• Consider nutritional support during treatment.
• Access support groups, integrative complementary therapies and other community resources.
• Recover after treatment ends and stay on track with follow-up.

Your Nurse Navigator can also step in to help you obtain health coverage from government programs, arrange for meal delivery from community organizations, attend doctors appointments with you, and put you in touch with services—even if that’s years down the road past treatment and into survivorship.

Helpful Resources

• Your Breast Cancer Journey (English and Spanish)
• Your Colon and Rectal Cancer Journey