Advanced practice nursing in head and neck cancer: implementation of five roles.
OBJECTIVE
To apply the five roles of advanced practice nurses (APNs) (administrator, educator, clinician, researcher, and consultant) to the management of patients with head and neck cancer.


METHODS
Research reports, clinical papers, practice guidelines, clinical experience.


RESULTS
APNs assess, conceptualize, and analyze complex patient data. As represented in the five roles, these abilities promote patients' development and implementation of survival skills. These roles were integrated into a cancer resource center, a collaborative endeavor providing patients, families, and community resources with support for coping with the complex issues facing them.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of the five roles to this specialized nursing area enables patients to develop survival skills and can provide a framework for support.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of APN roles promotes development and implementation of survival skills in patients with head and neck cancer, enhancing their quality and quantity of life and improving compliance with treatment.
Scarpa
Raymond
R
New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NY, USA. scarparj@umdnj.edu
D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015399:Nursing Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012017:Referral and Consultation