TYPES OF NURSES INVOLVED IN CANCER CARE Licensed practical nurse( LPN) or licensed vocational nurse( LVN): A nurse who has completed technical health training, and passed a basic licensing test. The LPN can take vital signs, give some medicines, observe and help patients with personal hygiene and care, and perform other health care-related tasks.
Registered nurse( RN): A professional nurse who has completed a college degree nursing program and passed a national examination. The RN can assess, educate, and treat patients, families, or even communities. They may work in and can get certified in almost any health specialty. RNs often supervise LPNs.
Advanced practice registered nurse( APRN): A professional RN who went back to school to get a master’ s or doctoral degree. APRNs can be a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, or nurse anesthetist.
• Clinical nurse specialist( CNS): An APRN with a master’ s or doctoral degree and special certification who works closely with the entire care team. A CNS has advanced training and clinical experience in a certain area of medical and nursing practice. Oncology CNSs have many different roles, such as direct patient or family care, supervising and teaching staff, nursing research related to cancer patients, quality monitoring, or teaching about cancer, treatment, and side effects.
• Nurse practitioner( NP): An APRN with a master’ s or doctoral degree and special certification who works closely with a doctor, helps to diagnose and manage care, and has advanced training and clinical experience in a certain area of medical and nursing practice.
• Nurse anesthetist( CRNA): A nurse with an advanced degree and training in giving drugs or other agents( like gasses) that cause a total loss of feeling or relieve pain, most often during surgery.
• Nurses can be specially trained and certified to care for specific groups of patients, focus on caring for specific health problems, or give specific types of treatments. Here are some examples:
• Clinical trials nurse: A RN who has been trained to teach, monitor, and treat patients who are enrolled in a research study( clinical trial).
• Enterostomal therapy nurse: A RN who has been trained and certified to teach people how to care for ostomies( surgically created openings such as a colostomy or urostomy) and wounds. Also called an ostomy nurse or a wound care nurse.
• Home health nurse: A LPN or RN who provides care in the patient’ s home, including teaching about and giving medicines and certain treatments, and checking to see if the patient needs other medical care.
• Hospice nurse: A LPN or RN who is part of a hospice care team and an expert in assessing and managing a patient who is nearing the end of life.
• Nurse navigator: A LPN or RN who guides patients and their families through complex medical systems, helps manage symptoms and side effects, and works with the rest of the cancer care team to overcome barriers that may come up. There can also be non-clinical patient navigators who are lay people with special training or other health professionals, like social workers.
• Radiation therapy nurse: A RN who is an expert in the radiation therapy care of patients. This nurse may teach the patient about treatment before it starts and help manage any treatment side effects.
• Infusion therapy nurse: A RN who is an expert trained in giving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Often called“ chemo nurses,” these RNs teach patients and caregivers about treatment, give and monitor treatment infusions or injections, and help assess and manage any treatment side effects.
OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS Depending on your needs, you might have other health professionals, in addition to medical doctors and nurses, as part of your care team. Some of these professionals might work directly with your cancer care team in the same cancer center or hospital. Or you might be referred to someone who works in a different facility but who focuses on a specific part of your care. Types of other health professionals involved in cancer care
Case Manager: Often a nurse or social worker who coordinates the patient’ s care throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, often working with the insurance company, and connecting the patient and family to resources.
Chaplain: A member of the clergy who helps manage the spiritual needs of the patient and family and can usually address many denominations, faiths, and beliefs.
Dietitian or registered dietitian( RD): An expert in the area of nutrition, food, and diet who has passed a national board exam. Many RDs specialize in areas like weight management, exercise science, cancer care, or cardiac rehabilitation. See also nutritionist.
Discharge coordinator or planner: Often a nurse or social worker who helps make sure patients leaving the hospital have what they need to continue their recovery at home. They also may help a patient find other places to go after leaving the hospital, such as a nursing home or rehab, where they can continue to get the care they need.
CANCER TREATMENT: Continued on page 12
CANCER CARE TAKES A TEAM ISSUE | SEPTEMBER 2025 11 OURHEALTHNWA. COM