As navigators, we are called to be financial stewards for our patients. A personal experience of an elderly family member who was being navigated through a cancer diagnosis this year was an example of this valuable role of navigation.
We are proud of Amy E. Rettig, MSN, MALM, RN, ACNS-BC, PMHNP-BC, CBCN, Emergency Services-Clinical Nurse Specialist, who has been named to the SelfMade Health Network Leadership Council.
Our AONN+ chapter formed as a few nurse navigators were getting together occasionally after work to share ideas and support each other. This grew into a plan to launch a state chapter of AONN+ after learning how simple it would be to start.
The AONN+ upstate chapter was formed after a discussion at the AONN+ national meeting on developing a local chapter. Kirsten Beeker was extremely enthusiastic and the main driver of the chapter development.
Each AONN+ chapter leader was asked to share best practices of their chapter with the AONN+ membership. Remember, there are no standard templates for the chapters.
It was exciting to hear from the existing chapters across the United States at the annual conference this year. After listening to everyone share their ideas and meeting themes from the past year, one thought came to mind: “If you have seen one AONN+ chapter, you have only seen only one AONN+ chapter.”
Distress screening is a common topic among navigators and financial distress is a common theme. Each program has resources to manage this stress for patients, but it usually helps with transportation, medication, or medical equipment costs.
It was a delight to visit the North Texas AONN+ chapter in May to see how well they are doing and to rejuvenate with the excitement of peer to peer support. If the enthusiasm and energy from the conversations throughout the room could be bottled, fatigue would be cured!