Advanced practice nursing in head and neck cancer: implementation of five roles.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: 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.

DATA SOURCES

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

DATA SYNTHESIS

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.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

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.