What is a nurse navigator?

The Nurse Navigators at the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center are oncology-certified Registered Nurses who can help guide you through your diagnosis, treatment and into survivorship.  They work closely with your physicians to help coordinate your care as quickly as possible. In addition, they are trained to assess your needs as a patient and assist you in accessing our supportive services.  These nurses specialize in caring for patients with lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers.  In the future, the program has plans to incorporate services for other cancers. This service is free of charge and no insurance coverage is necessary.

The nurse navigator’s main goal is “to ensure that patients get timely diagnosis, treatment, education and support.” – Gean Brown, RN, OCN, March 2010.

How will a nurse navigator help?

Here at Middlesex we pride ourselves in providing seamless care.  Your nurse navigator is your “one-stop” resource during this hectic time.  They work with all of your health care providers involved in your care.  Additionally, they are available to teach and reinforce information regarding your diagnosis and treatment plan.  They will also assist you with resources you may need such as transportation, nutrition, genetic counseling, patient resource library, clergy, social services, distress management and integrative medicine programs.

What makes our nurse navigators special?

Our patient satisfaction rating exceeds ninety percent demonstrating our commitment to healthcare the way you prescribe it.  We are also proud of our nursing staff here at Middlesex Hospital for their Magnet Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the third time.  Middlesex Hospital is the first and only Hospital in Connecticut to receive this recognition three times. Also, our nurse navigator program is linked with our fully accredited Comprehensive Breast Center, which is only the third hospital in Connecticut to receive this national designation.