New nurse navigator softens the blow of breast cancer diagnosis

Getting an abnormal mammogram result can be a terrifying experience. Laurie Jones, RN and certified breast patient navigator, has seen it before.

"It's scary. They need someone right from day one. When you walk out, and get in your car, suddenly you have a million questions," Jones said.

It used to be that these women would get home and get on the phone to friends and family, or pore over the Internet, often finding horror stories, outdated information, and more confusion.

Not anymore. One of only approximately 200 certified nurse navigators across the country, Jones will be serving as a liaison, go-to person, and friendly face for women at the Florida Hospital's new Breast Care Center, which just opened this month.

"I walk a patient from an abnormal mammogram to where they would need a biopsy, scheduling the biopsy. I'm the nurse usually at the biopsy, holding their hands through the discussion, explaining what the biopsy is," said Jones. Jones will also be handling patient history for the radiologist and setting up follow up with the patient's primary physician, speeding up scheduling, and ensuring that the right doctors receive the necessary reports in a timely manner.

These are all things a patient used to have to manage on her own, or had to wait for, all the while struggling with a frightening diagnosis or potential diagnosis. "It can take two weeks for a stereotactic biopsy, just for the radiologist to look at those films. He might not like the films, and they might have to redo them," explained Jones. "Sometimes it takes a week to ten days to get the pathology report."

"(The patients) don't know what's happening. They don't know if they have cancer. It's scary," said Jones.

If it turns out the patient does need surgery, Jones provides her with a list of potential surgeons and helps her make informed decisions about her care.

It also helps that complete breast cancer care is now available in Highlands County, with advanced diagnostic biopsy technology, experienced surgeons, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy all available within a couple of blocks of one another. The proximity of all of these professionals and the ability for them to meet face to face significantly shortens timelines.

For patients who do choose to travel outside the county, Jones helps coordinate with those offices and speeds communication so that patients do not have to wait as long to find out there results, and treatment can be expedited.

Why become a nurse navigator?

Jones' early career was as an accountant. It was only after her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago that she decided to make a change to nursing. Jones' sister died of the disease, and Jones was touched and impressed with the care she received from the hospice nurse navigators.

"I just couldn't believe what that hospice nurse and that CNA (certified nursing assistant) did for my sister and my family," said Jones. She became a CNA herself and worked at a nursing home rehab center while earning her registered nursing degree.

As an RN, she began working at Seascape Imaging, and when the nurse navigator position emerged, it seemed like a perfect fit. "I enjoyed helping the patients coming in. Their eyes are about this big," she said, gesturing the size of a saucer. "In their mind there's this instant fear, this instant whole life change. I didn't see anyone taking that person by the hand, saying 'we can do this, we can get through this.' It seemed like a cold experience."

Jones traveled to Las Vegas in March to participate in the Breast Patient Navigator Certification Program. She achieved the most comprehensive level of certification, which is the Certified Breast Patient Navigator in Breast Imaging and Cancer (CBPN-IC).

According to the Breast Center Bulletin published by the National Consortium of Breast Centers Inc. the benefits of nurse navigator certification to patients and families include: "assurance that the provider of care is qualified and competent at a more than basic level; improved quality, safety, and accuracy of care by certified skilled professionals; expanded knowledge to be shared about choices and treatment options; more empowerment in decision making; and knowledge that the professional has shown the desire to improve their quality of patient care and service delivery."

With only 200 such navigators currently certified, Jones' skills are a cutting-edge offering for our community, said Cathy Albritton, director of marketing for Florida Hospital Heartland Division.

"She has a lot to offer," Albritton added.