title: Core areas of practice and associated competencies for nurses working as professional cancer navigators.
abstract: Fillion et al. (2012) recently designed a conceptual framework for professional cancer navigators describing key functions of professional cancer navigation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Building on this framework, this study defines the core areas of practice and associated competencies for professional cancer navigators.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methods used in this study included: literature review, mapping of navigation functions against practice standards and competencies, and validation of this mapping process with professional navigators, their managers and nursing experts and comparison of roles in similar navigation programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Associated competencies were linked to the three identified core areas of practice, which are: 1) providing information and education, 2) providing emotional and supportive care, and 3) facilitating coordination and continuity of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cancer navigators are in a key position to improve patient and family empowerment and continuity of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is an important step for advancing the role of oncology nurses in navigator positions and identifying areas for further research.
authors.affiliation: Patient Navigation and Surgical Oncology Network, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. Sandra.Cook@ccns.nshealth.ca
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fillion
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitch
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Veillette
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aubin
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Serres
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Doll
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rainville
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*