On behalf of the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators (AONN) leadership council, I am excited to introduce the Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship (JONS), a publication designed to meet the needs of oncology nurse and patient navigators. Each issue will feature topics related to patient navigation and survivorship care, offering original research, best practices, interviews, case reports, study highlights, and more.
Our goal is to enhance the value of your AONN membership by giving you additional tools to improve care for your patients at every stage. JONS also offers a platform for you to share your research and views on navigation and survivorship issues with your colleagues.
In the past 2 years, we have seen widespread adoption of patient navigation and survivorship care in oncology. Although the US healthcare system is in flux, with an aging population and uncertain healthcare policies, the looming shortage of oncologists and ongoing need to reduce medical spending will drive greater reliance on models of patient care like patient navigation. Additionally, the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer expects to begin implementing new standards in the coming year that will likely foster an increase in the number of centers, hospitals, and community clinics recognizing patient navigation and survivorship care as essential services.
This is a critical time for navigation; everyone involved benefits by working together to define the reach and practices of this evolving profession. The individual and collective efforts of AONN members to strengthen and grow this academy of dedicated oncology professionals are instrumental in ensuring that we have a voice in shaping the future of navigation and survivorship.
As nurse and patient navigators assume a more central role in the delivery of cancer care, you will need more information and guidance. JONS reflects the academy’s commitment to stay on top of those needs and reinforces our support for evidence-based practices. This publication belongs to you. We welcome your manuscript submissions, ideas, and assistance in making JONS the resource AONN members need and deserve. We are interested in articles from AONN members and other medical professionals on an array of topics, including navigation and survivorship, for all cancer types and in all patient populations. You are invited to submit perspectives, studies, or reviews about program models, psychosocial issues, long-term management, community outreach, patient education, tracking processes, or any topic you feel supports AONN’s efforts to improve care for patients with cancer.
For authorship guidelines or to submit a manuscript for consideration, visit us at jons-online.com/submit-a-manuscript. Please direct any comments, inquiries, or requests to join our editorial advisory board to Christin Melton, the journal’s editorial director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Thank you for being an active supporter of the academy.
Sean T. Walsh
Executive Director
Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators (AONN)
