Cancer Hospital of New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

TON - May/June 2014 Vol 7 No 3

The Cancer Hospital of New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) is the flagship hospital of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. It is the only comprehensive cancer center in New Jersey designated by the National Cancer Institute. The partnership between RWJUH and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey allows patients to receive care from research physicians in a state-of-the-art environment.

In addition to oncology-focused services such as diagnostic, laboratory, and pain-management services, the cancer hospital offers patients education and psychological and spiritual support. Supportive services include the care of an oncology social worker, an oncology nutritionist, and a chaplain, as well as support groups, inpatient hospice, and complementary therapies—including reiki, acupuncture, and massage.

The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA spoke with Lynn Lutwin, MSN, OCN, CBCN, director of the Breast Care Connection at RWJUH about her career.

What are your responsibilities at RWJUH?
Lynn Lutwin (LL):
I have various roles here at the hospital. I am 1 of 2 nurse navigators for breast cancer patients and patients with other types of cancers. The second nurse navigator is an advanced practice nurse (APN), and she reports to me. I oversee the Susan G. Komen grant for our hospital, and, through this grant, the APN performs physical exams on patients who do not have a primary care physician and need a mammogram. I also oversee a breast health outreach service and direct the lung cancer screening program.

In addition, I am involved in helping to run the Alternative Therapy Program that provides such services as pet therapy, music and art, support groups, and massage.
I also see patients one-on-one who need navigation assistance before and after diagnosis.

Both nurse navigators see inpatients at the hospital after surgery to provide information on our services and teach them postsurgery exercises.

You wear many hats! What is the approach to care at RWJUH?
LL:
We are pro patient and foster a culture of kindness for employee-to-employee and employee-to-patient interactions. We prioritize patient care above everything else, and this leads to improved outcomes. Our patients have a positive outlook and know they are not alone, because we are here for them. At our institution, all employees try to help patients in every way that they can.

What is your biggest challenge?
LL:
My major challenge is finding the time to help all the patients who need help. One can only do so much in a given day. We see more than 1000 patients each year. Eventually, we may probably hire another nurse navigator.

What are the benefits of your job?
LL:
There are 3 main benefits. One is being able to help patients and families face their diagnoses and solve problems. The second is educating people in the community about cancer through our outreach program. The third is the ability to provide screening for patients who otherwise would not be able to afford it. This may change through the Affordable Care Act. Right now we target high-risk patients for low-cost CT scans for lung cancer screening as well as for breast cancer screening.

How did you decide to become an oncology nurse?
LL:
I have a varied history. I have 3 master’s degrees (communication, medical anthropology, and nursing administration) and am now working on an MBA. For 18 years, I was a cancer registrar, analyzing data from facilities, abstracting the data, and defining trends. Then I went to nursing school, partly because I wanted to experience direct patient contact and partly because the time was right and a local college was offering evening nursing classes. Because of my history, oncology was the natural path.

What advice would you give to someone entering the field?
LL:
Being an oncology nurse is the most rewarding career in the world. Seek out positions in oncology units or floors, and try to become a navigator. It may take time to find your way. Joining the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) can provide helpful information, open up opportunities, and allow networking. The same is true of local/regional ONS groups. Once you find a position that suits, you can grow within that position.

What would you be if you were not an oncology nurse?
LL:
I would stay within oncology. I loved being a cancer registrar, looking at data and abstracting it so I could make sense of it all.

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