Dear Navigators, Social Workers, Administrators, and Clinical Staff,
Our role as oncology nurse and patient navigators is to remove barriers to care for our patients. With those barriers eradicated, we can effectively enhance the patient experience and improve clinical outcomes. But how can we accomplish this goal?
Our answer: through education, networking, and sharing best practices.
To provide the forums for education, networking, and sharing, AONN+ hosts an Annual Conference (which, by the way, is taking place next month!) to unite navigators and others in the oncology community on a national scale. Further, we host a regional, midyear conference to foster common bonds in a specific geographic region. And on a community level, we support and encourage the creation of Local Navigator Networks (LNNs).
What is a Local Navigator Network?
I’m glad you asked! LNNs are small groups of navigators who meet to share best practices, network, and participate in educational opportunities.
Why join an LNN?
Simple. To increase your network while learning, in an engaging and more intimate setting, how to remove those barriers to care that prevent optimal outcomes for your patients.
As in most areas of our lives, we are stronger together. United as navigators, we can accomplish so much; we can help our patients in a meaningful way, we can impact clinical outcomes, we can improve the patient experience, and we can truly make a difference. AONN+ is committed to assisting you to establish an LNN. We have resources of support and connections to others in your community to include national organizations, foundations, industry partners, and, of course, other navigators who all stand to benefit from a mutual collaboration.
On page 413, you will read our interview with Donna Moore Wilson, RN, MSN, CBCN, of the Virginia Cancer Patient Navigator Network. Donna shares the success story of her LNN. I hope her story will inspire you to start or join an LNN.
Will you take that first step? Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit aonnonline.org for more information about starting or joining an LNN.
As always, thank you for your loyal readership. And thank you for standing with us in our mission to advance the role of the oncology nurse and patient navigator.
Sincerely,
Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS
University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer; Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Co-Developer of Work Stride: Managing Cancer at Work, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions; Program Director and Co-Founder of AONN+.
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